Arsenal FC are bracing for a significant setback as they fear that their Spanish defender, Cristhian Mosquera, could be out of action for at least six weeks. This development adds to the mounting defensive problems faced by the club.
Mosquera suffered an ankle injury during Arsenal's 2-0 midweek victory over Brentford. He required treatment after landing awkwardly and was subsequently substituted. Initial concerns suggest that he will miss between six and eight weeks of play.
The absence of Mosquera is a considerable blow to the Gunners, who are already dealing with injuries to their first-choice centre-back pairing - Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba. Both players are currently sidelined due to various health issues.
Manager Mikel Arteta on the situation
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta confirmed in his recent news conference that Mosquera would require further tests to establish the full extent of his injury. "Mosquera is the one that is more complicated," he said, indicating a potentially long lay-off period for the summer signing from Valencia.
Arteta also provided updates on other injured players in his squad. He revealed that Saliba was "days" away from returning after missing recent games against Chelsea and Brentford due to a training knock. However, Gabriel may not be back until January owing to a thigh injury.
Defensive dilemma
In light of these injuries, Mosquera and Piero Hincapie have been stepping up as replacements but with Mosquera now facing an extended period off-pitch, Saliba's availability becomes crucial for Arsenal's defence line-up.
Despite these challenges, Arsenal has managed impressive performances so far this season; they currently sit atop both Premier League and Champions League group phase. The Gunners are scheduled to visit third-placed Aston Villa on Saturday, 12:30 GMT. This will be followed by a trip to Club Brugge on Wednesday, 10 December at 20:00 GMT. With the absence of key defenders, these matches will test Arsenal's depth and resilience.
While Mosquera's injury is a significant setback for Arsenal, it also presents an opportunity for other players to step up and showcase their abilities. The coming weeks will indeed be crucial in determining the trajectory of Arsenal's season.
