Arsenal injury update: Cristhian Mosquera, William Saliba, Jurrien Timber latest news and return dates | OneFootball

Another centre-back hops onto the treatment table at Colney as Chelsea prepare to visit Emirates

Arsenal edged past Aston Villa on Monday night to continue their perfect start to the Premier League campaign, but the evening was blemished as Cristhian Mosquera went down injured in the second half.

The Spaniard went down off the ball at Villa Park, holding the back of his thigh in what will be a concerning sight for any Arsenal supporter.

The Gunners can ill afford another injured centre-back, with William Saliba also sidelined for the foreseeable future.

With Chelsea visiting the Emirates this weekend, Mikel Arteta will want his side at full bore.

With that said, here is all the latest Arsenal injury news and potential return dates...

Cristhian Mosquera is the latest addition to the Arsenal injury list after he was forced off in the second half against Aston Villa on Monday night.

He went down off the ball and was replaced by the debutant Ezri Konsa, who was warmly welcomed by the fans at Villa Park.

He was holding the back of his thigh as he left the pitch, suggesting a hamstring injury, but Arteta said at full-time that he had not suffered a serious problem.

"He is fine," Arteta said. "But he was feeling like he was about to have something.

“He could not continue.

"That's why we have the bench that we have, that's why we had to bring Ezri on."

Mosquera now faces a race against time to be passed fit in time for next week’s derby.

Potential return date: September 6 vs Chelsea (H)

Injury worry: Cristhian Mosquera

Getty

Jurrien Timber

Jurrien Timber has not featured in a game of competitive football since coming off the bench in the Champions League final.

He had missed several weeks in the build-up to that match with a groin injury, and was subsequently ruled out of the World Cup with the same problem.

Timber underwent minor surgery in the summer, but has not yet returned to first-team training.

It remains to be seen when he will do so, with Arteta’s most recent update, issued a fortnight ago, saying he was still a “few weeks” away from training.

William Saliba (centre) and Jurrien Timber (far right) were both pictured at the PFA awards last week

PA

William Saliba

William Saliba remains sidelined with a long-term back problem, which he played through for several months but eventually caught up with him during the World Cup semi-final.

Arsenal have since confirmed the injury, described by Didier Deschamps this summer as “unbearable”, can be treated without surgery. Saliba will instead undergo a lengthy period of rehabilitation at Arsenal’s training ground.

A statement released last month read: “Specialist reviews on William’s return to London this week have confirmed that he has suffered a back injury which will require a period of rehabilitation.

“Extensive assessments have concluded that surgery is not recommended, but William should now commence a managed recovery programme.

“William’s rehabilitation will commence immediately, with continual management of his injury, and he is expected to be out of action for an extended period.”