8 back, 2 still out: Arsenal fitness latest pre-Community Shield | OneFootball

Mikel Arteta has hinted that Bruno Guimaraes has already joined David Raya and Bukayo Saka in training, but Jurrien Timber and William Saliba are weeks away.

Photo via Arsenal.com

With football returning to the Emirates Stadium on Sunday for the first time in almost three months, Mikel Arteta spoke to the media to provide an update on some of the players who weren’t involved in the Emirates Cup match against Borussia Dortmund.

Arteta began by hinting that new signing Bruno Guimaraes has been in training with his new teammates, saying: “I’m delighted to have him. Why? Well, we see very clearly, especially the energy that he brought immediately to the training ground.”

Photo via Arsenal.com

Arteta then confirmed that David Raya and Bukayo Saka joined training on Saturday, and that almost all of the rest of Arsenal’s returning World Cup internationals will be involved on Monday.

“Some of them (the English and Spanish players) were back today, already watching the game,” Arteta said. “Some of them, David and Bukayo, were back yesterday (Saturday), a bit earlier than expected, which is great to see.

“I think it’s a really good sign and tomorrow (on Monday) everybody will be available to start the training programme.”

As well as Bruno, Raya, and Saka, that means Noni Madueke, Eberechi Eze, Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi, and Mikel Merino will all be in training this week.

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Unfortunately, the news isn’t so positive with Jurrien Timber and William Saliba, who are both now guaranteed to miss the Community Shield this weekend, and likely at least some weeks beyond that game.

“Jurrien is progressing really well,” Arteta began. “He’s on the pitch, he’s doing quite a lot right now, but it’s still weeks away. I cannot tell you how much.

“William Saliba is in rest mode at the moment for two weeks. He had to do almost nothing, an aggravated injury, so it’s going to take some time to heal. We know that. And as soon as we have more news, we can inform you.”

The expectation is that Saliba won’t be back for months yet, with Arsenal pushing to sign a backup in the transfer market. Timber should be back sooner, but the exact date of his return remains a mystery.

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