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Cristhian Mosquera is set for another medical test on Friday after a “more complicated” injury than that facing Declan Rice, Mikel Arteta said.
Mosquera, 21, went down on 41 minutes during the Brentford win and received treatment from Arsenal’s medical staff, after appearing to land awkwardly on his left foot when jumping for a header. The defender walked off unassisted but hobbling slightly and was replaced by Jurrien Timber.
Declan Rice was also forced off in that game, prompting Mikel Arteta to call on the Premier League to consider “the well-being” of his players in his post-match press conference.
Before his side’s trip to Villa Park on Saturday, Arteta said: “Let’s see (on Rice). We have another training session in the afternoon. Every hour is going to be important. Mosquera (ankle) is the one that is more complicated. We have another test today. (William) Saliba and (Leandro) Trossard are a matter of days.”
Arsenal’s squad has been hit with repeated injuries this season, and with Arteta’s first-choice centre-back pairing (Gabriel and Saliba) sidelined on Wednesday, Timber was the only player on the bench with experience playing at centre-back.
Arteta said ahead of the Brentford match that Saliba had picked up a “little niggle” and that it would be a “matter of days” until he could return. Gabriel, however, is still recovering from a longer-term muscular injury to his right thigh, which The Athletic reported on November 18 could keep him out for up to two months.
Mosquera has impressed when called upon for Arsenal, who have the best defensive record in the Premier League and Champions League. The centre back, who joined from Valencia in a deal worth an initial £13million (€15m) in the summer, has made 16 appearances this season.
Trossard has been absent since being subbed off late into the first half of Arsenal’s victory over Bayern Munich on November 26.
Mikel Merino and Bukayo Saka both scored at the Emirates Stadium to keep Arsenal five points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League.
Dec 5, 2025
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