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Mikel Arteta has been left with a selection concern ahead of Arsenal's high-pressure London derby against Chelsea this weekend. The Arsenal manager was without two important first-team players during Thursday's preparations as the squad got ready for the match at the Emirates.

Bruno Guimaraes and Cristhian Mosquera were both missing from training.

As per The Sun, Arsenal's build-up to the forthcoming meeting with Chelsea has been affected by a major double injury worry. At an open training session at London Colney on Thursday, summer signing Bruno Guimaraes and defender Cristhian Mosquera were both absent. Their non-appearance has cast doubt over whether they will be available for the weekend, with the Gunners aiming to preserve their perfect start to the new Premier League season.

Guimaraes, who joined the north London club from Newcastle United in a headline-making £75 million transfer during the summer window, has been dealing with an ongoing groin problem. The Brazil midfielder missed Arsenal's Premier League opener against Coventry City, although he did return briefly on Monday with a 19-minute substitute appearance against Aston Villa.

Arteta has handled the fitness of his new midfield mainstay very carefully since his move from Newcastle United. Reports suggest the club is taking an especially cautious view on Guimaraes' condition, particularly because Arsenal have several options in midfield. Even so, being without a player of his quality for a fixture as important as a London derby against Xabi Alonso's Chelsea would affect the side's tactical balance.

The update on Mosquera appears a little more troubling for the coaching staff. The Spanish defender had to come off in the closing stages of Monday night's win over Aston Villa. He was replaced by Ezri Konsa in the 79th minute, although the manager's initial view was that the change was made as a precaution rather than because of a serious injury.

A defensive reshuffle could now be on the cards.

Speaking to reporters after the win at Villa Park, Arteta gave an update on Mosquera's condition, saying: 'He's fine, but he was feeling like he was about to have something, and that's why we have the bench that we have, and that's why we had to bring in Ezri.'

If the 22-year-old Spaniard is ruled out for Sunday's game, it could pave the way for Konsa to make his full home debut at the Emirates. Konsa, who completed a £51 million switch from Aston Villa last month, is the obvious option to come into the defence.

London rivals are now set to battle for early supremacy.

Arsenal's defensive issues do not stop there, with Jurrien Timber also still a doubt for the weekend. With William Saliba out for a lengthy spell after an injury that worsened during the World Cup, Arteta's squad depth is already being stretched early in the campaign.

Both Arsenal and Chelsea have made flawless starts to the new season, winning their opening two Premier League matches. The Gunners began with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Coventry City before grinding out a 1-0 win against Aston Villa, while Chelsea delivered two high-scoring performances, beating Fulham 3-2 and then edging Brighton 4-3.