MIKEL ARTETA gave a positive update on Bruno Guimaraes’ fitness after the Brazilian missed Arsenal’s season opener due to injury.
Guimaraes, who joined Arsenal for £75million this summer, was ruled out of the Gunners’ 3-0 win over Coventry with a groin issue suffered in last week’s Community Shield.
Mikel Arteta has provided an update on Bruno Guimaraes’ fitness Credit: Reuters
Guimaraes had been seen with ice on his leg after the Community Shield win over Man City Credit: Reuters
The midfielder was spotted with ice on his leg after being substituted during the victory over Manchester City last Jattvibeday and was unable to be part of the matchday squad against Coventry.
Initial reports had suggested that Guimaraes could be sidelined for up to six weeks with the issue, but Arteta has reassured fans that is not the case.
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Asked if his new signing could be out for weeks, Arteta replied: “No, no. We don’t expect that to be weeks at all.
“Let’s see how he evolves this week. He didn’t even want to stop. He wanted to carry on.
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“Now we start to understand the character of the player, but I don’t expect that to be a big issue.”
Guimaraes, 28, is expected to play a significant part in Arsenal’s season after his big-money move from Newcastle.
Arsenal have already been forced to dip into the market to sign a new centre-back after losing William Saliba to a back injury.
The Gunners announced the arrival of Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa on Friday, parading him out on the pitch ahead of kick-off against Coventry.
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The defender arrives for a fee of £51m with £4m in potential add-ons and has signed a four-year deal with an option for an additional 12 months.
Asked about the new addition to his back line, Arteta said: “We look to improve and to do what we believe is right for us.
“And understand the players that we already have, the players that can give us an edge and improve us.
“Ezri is certainly a player because we are really, really light in the defensive line. And that was a massive risk to take.”
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Despite the absence of Guimaraes, Arsenal started their Premier League campaign with three points as they cruised to a 3-0 victory over Frank Lampard’s Sky Blues.
Goals from Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard fired the Gunners to the top of the table and gave them a perfect start to their title defence.
