Just days before the highly anticipated clash with Chelsea, Mikel Arteta has been presented with a situation that requires caution after Bruno Guimaraes missed Arsenal’s open training session on Thursday, raising fresh questions over the midfielder’s availability for the upcoming fixture.
Guimaraes had only recently returned from a groin problem and came off the bench during Arsenal’s 1-0 victory over Aston Villa. However, his absence from the latest open training session has brought his fitness back into focus ahead of Sunday’s match.
Arteta had previously taken a cautious approach to Guimaraes’ fitness before the Aston Villa match, confirming that the midfielder had returned to training while stressing the need to manage his workload to get him into the best possible condition.
The timing makes the situation particularly significant, with Arsenal preparing to face Chelsea on Sunday, September 6, in a meeting between two teams that have made perfect starts to the Premier League season.
Despite the concern caused by Guimaraes’ absence from training, Arsenal have not confirmed that he has suffered a new injury. His availability for Chelsea therefore remains dependent on further fitness and medical assessments in the final days before the match.
Arteta now faces a delicate decision. Taking a risk with a player who may not be fully ready could be costly, while Guimaraes remains an important option in Arsenal’s midfield. The manager does have alternatives, including Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi.
The coming hours will therefore be crucial in determining Arsenal’s midfield plans against Chelsea, with the final decision on Guimaraes expected to depend on his physical condition before the match.