Bruno Guimaraes, Ezri Konsa and Jurrien Timber injury updates from Mikel Arteta

Bruno Guimaraes hopes to feature at Villa Park on Monday (Picture: PPAUK)

There could be Premier League debuts for Arsenal on Monday night for Ezri Konsa and Bruno Guimaraes, says manager Mikel Arteta.

Neither summer signing was involved in the season’s curtain-raiser as the Gunners beat Coventry City 3-0 last week.

Clearly their absence didn’t hold the team back as they secured a comfortable win, but both could be in the squad when the champions travel to take on Aston Villa on Monday.

Centre-back Konsa sounds certain to be in the squad, with Arteta saying: ‘He is training really well and available for selection.’

As for Brazil international Guimaraes, he is not so certain, but is closing in on a return, with the manager explaining: ‘We just managed the last few days with him. He has been out on the pitch doing training sessions.

‘We have just been managing the load. He is potentially available.’

The midfielder did start in the Community Shield on August 16, playing the first half, but has been dealing with a minor thigh strain since.

Ezri Konsa is in line for his Arsenal debut against his former club (Picture: AP Photo)

If Konsa does make his debut on Monday night it will be against the club he has just left. On the prospect of the defender being booed by the home fans, Arteta said: ‘I hope so. I don’t know but it’s not down to us.’

Jurrien Timber is another sidelined Gunners star, but he will not be back for their next game due to his groin problem.

‘Jurrien is progressing really well,’ said Arteta of the Dutchman.