Arsenal are bracing themselves for yet another significant defensive setback after fears emerged that Cristhian Mosquera could be sidelined for up to eight weeks with the ankle injury suffered against Brentford.
The 21-year-old landed awkwardly during the 2-0 midweek win, hobbled a bit before asking for treatment. He was then was replaced by Jurrien Timber, whom Mikel Arteta had been trying to rest.
Further tests are still to be carried out, but early indications are reportedly pointing towards a lengthy absence that would extend through a the demanding Christmas period.
Reporting for the BBC, Sami Mokbel wrote: “Arsenal fear Cristhian Mosquera will miss at least six weeks to add to their defensive problems. The Spanish defender is set for further tests to establish the full extent of the ankle injury….Mosquera’s absence will be another blow to the Gunners, who also currently have first-choice centre-back pairing Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba sidelined.”
He also added, “early concerns are he will miss between six and eight weeks.”
Mosquera has played alongside Piero Hincapie in the last two matches with both Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba unavailable. His injury now places further strain on a back line that has been the cornerstone of Arsenal’s title challenge this season.
At his press conference on Friday, Arteta said that Saliba is “days” away from returning, but Gabriel may not be back until January due to the thigh injury he picked up in a friendly with Brazil.
It is yet another blow in a season that has already seen Arsenal lose Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke, Martin Odegaard (three times), Ben White, Christian Norgaard, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Viktor Gyokeres, and Leandro Trossard, in addition to Saliba, Gabriel and Gabriel Jesus who was already injured from last season.
In total, Arsenal players have missed 103 matches this season due to injury. With 21 games played, that’s an average of five players missing for every match, all of them key figures in the squad.
Declan Rice, who also went off against Brentford is expected to be fine while Trossard is also said to be ‘days’ away from returning.