Saliba and four others doubts as Arsenal head to Sunderland to extend perfect start

William Saliba is again absent as Arsenal travel to Sunderland’s Stadium of Light looking to make it four wins from four in the Premier League, with up to five players carrying fitness concerns ahead of the fixture.

Saliba has yet to feature this season after aggravating a back problem during France’s run to the World Cup semi-finals over the summer. Arteta offered little clarity on a return date, saying: “We don’t really know the amount of weeks Wilo is going to be out because it’s about a healing process and everything is a bit different — we know we have to respect certain timings.”

Jurrien Timber is edging closer to full fitness after training with the squad for several days. “He’s been doing really well, he’s been training with us now for a few days, and he looks in good shape,” Arteta said on Friday, though he stopped short of confirming the defender would be available.

Cristhian Mosquera, who missed Arsenal’s last two matches with a muscular injury sustained against Aston Villa, is also in contention. Arteta said: “[Cristhian’s] doing really well, let’s see if he can get [back] for this game or the next one.” Ben White was spotted limping late in Wednesday’s 1-0 Champions League win over Napoli, but Arteta confirmed the right-back is “fine” and could start.

Arsenal arrive on Wearside having conceded just once in all competitions this season, a run that includes three Premier League victories and that midweek European result.

Sunderland will be without winger Romaine Mundle, who is sidelined with a knee injury, and midfielder Habib Diarra, who is still recovering from a hamstring problem. Head coach Regis Le Bris confirmed both players as the only absentees, adding that Mundle is unlikely to return before the end of the year.

Despite facing the league leaders, Le Bris was bullish about his side’s prospects. “They are the best team in Europe at the minute and they have good momentum as well,” he said. “We can’t get complacent otherwise it is finished very quickly. They are flying right now and they have many threats on the pitch but we have a good team as well. It is a good challenge and we need these challenges to get better.”