Mikel Arteta has no fresh injury concerns heading into Arsenal’s weekend clash with Sunderland despite Ben White limping off midweek.

The Gunners have got the new campaign off to a perfect start, winning their opening three Premier League matches and beating Napoli in their first Champions League game of the season on Wednesday.

They have conceded just one goal in those four matches with their mean defence picking up from where they left off last season despite the absences of William Saliba and Jurrien Timber.

White has been ever-present at right-back this season in the absence of Timber, playing the full 90 minutes in every league match and starting again in Naples.

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The former Brighton star appeared to be in discomfort late on in the game, however, with Martin Zubimendi brought onto replace him after 82 minutes.

But speaking ahead of Saturday’s trip to the Stadium of Light, Arteta confirmed White is ‘fine’ with no injury concerns.

With Saliba recovering from a back injury, Cristhian Mosquera started against Coventry City and Aston Villa at centre-half alongside Gabriel Magalhaes, forced off with a knock of his own at Villa Park.

The Spain Under-21 international is in contention to return on Saturday or midweek against Ipswich.

‘He’s doing really well. Let’s see if he can get this game. Or the next one, it will be around that time I think,’ Arteta said.

Timber meanwhile has not started a game since March with a troublesome groin injury requiring surgery in the summer.

The Dutchman has been back in first-team training and is closing in on his return to action.

‘Let’s see. We have another training session today. He’s been training with us for a few days. Let’s see.’

Ezri Konsa has impressed at the heart of defence in Arsenal’s last two games against Chelsea and Napoli.

‘He has a way of gathering people together, he has a real personality and a lot of leadership skills,’ Arteta said of his £51million signing.

‘You saw the first day he trained, the way he was talking and presenting himself, and so far he’s done a really good job.’


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