Arsenal sweat on Timber and Mosquera before Sunderland trip, Saliba out | OneFootball

According to Sunderland Echo, Arsenal are hoping for a double defensive boost before Saturday night’s visit to Sunderland, with Jurrien Timber and Cristhian Mosquera being assessed.

Mikel Arteta’s side must first negotiate Wednesday’s Champions League opener away to Napoli at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, then their focus turns to Wearside.

The champions have started strongly, taking maximum points from an away win at Aston Villa and home victories over Coventry City and Chelsea, as they chase back-to-back top-flight titles for the first time in over 90 years.

Timber and Mosquera are rated doubts after thigh and groin issues respectively. Arteta said before the Chelsea game that Timber was in very good condition, had spent several weeks back on the pitch and was training with the squad. On Mosquera, he described a muscular problem they believe is not serious, with the hamstring to be monitored over the coming days after the Spaniard missed the win against the Blues.

One defender who will not travel is France international William Saliba, who is expected to be sidelined until November with a lower back injury.

Sunderland remain without winger Romaine Mundle and midfielder Habib Diarra for the foreseeable future because of knee and hamstring injuries. The Black Cats are also awaiting visa clearance for summer arrival Juan Riquleme Angulo, an Ecuador youth international signed on deadline day.

Source: Sunderland Echo

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