Arsenal have been without both Gabriel and William Saliba in recent weeks, with injured Cristian Mosquera joining them from the sidelines.
Arsenal fear Cristian Mosquera will be without him for at least six weeks after he picked up an ankle problem in midweek’s 2-0 win over Brentford.
The 21-year-old was unable to continue after landing hard at the end of the first half and was replaced by Julian Timber. And now it looks like he is set to join Gabriel and William Saliba on the sideline, meaning Mikel Arteta could be forced to make further changes to his defense ahead of Saturday’s big game against Aston Villa.
BBC Sport claimed the Gunners believe Mosquera is likely to be sidelined for at least six weeks with the ankle problem, and could extend to eight weeks. He will undergo further tests.
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The news is a further blow for Arteta, who lost influential Gabriel to a thigh injury last month. Saliba missed games against Chelsea and Brentford due to a knock and is not expected to return until early 2026. It is understood Mosquera will not be included in the squad for Saturday’s game against Aston Villa.
Despite only joining in the summer, the defender has already shown glimpses of why Arsenal were so keen to sign him. He was signed from Valencia for just £13m and has already filled in admirably in place of Gabriel and Saliba this season, adding further depth to Arsenal’s defensive options.
Mosquera had to rely on him and Piero Hincapie against Chelsea and Brenford, with the former landing awkwardly after going for a header.
Arteta’s comments after the incident suggested Arsenal feared Mosquela’s departure, saying: “Mosquela is more complicated. We have another test today.”
If Mosquera is out for six weeks, he will miss a busy festive period that includes more than 10 important games for the team, especially the trip to Liverpool in early January.
Saliba’s absence this weekend could mean Arsenal take longer to face in-form Villa, but Saliba could return, with Arteta saying he has “a few days” left to recover from his injury.
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