Cristhian Mosquera Injury: What Mikel Arteta said about Arsenal player after Brentford sub

Arsenal were handed yet another injury blow under the lights at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night as centre-back Cristhian Mosquera limped off the pitch against Brentford shortly before half time.

It’s becoming somewhat of a farcical situation for Gunners boss Mikel Arteta with three first team centre-backs now on the treatment table. Mosquera joins first choice pairing Gabriel Magalhães and William Saliba on the sidelines.

Gabriel has been out of action since the previous international break with a thigh injury. Speaking after the draw against Chelsea, Arteta said that the Brazil international would still be ‘some weeks’ away from a return.

Cristhian Mosquera joins Gabriel and Saliba on injury list

That could hint at an absence until the New Year for the player, who has been crucial at the heart of defence for Arsenal so far this season. Meanwhile, Saliba was left out of the Arsenal squad to take on Chelsea after picking up a knock in training the day prior to that match.

The Frenchman was once again absent on Wednesday night, which was not too big a surprise given that Arteta had said that the ‘niggle’ persisted earlier this week. It is thought that Saliba’s issue is less serious than Gabriel, with his absence shorter term.

Even with Saliba’s imminent return, the loss of Mosquera is a blow for Arteta. The defender put in an impressive performance against Chelsea last time out and had looked confident again against Brentford.

The Gunners star, who arrived at the club from Villarreal for £13 million this summer, pulled up after jumping for a ball. He was replaced by Jurrien Timber just before half time.

What Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said about Mosquera injury

Speaking after the match, Arteta said: “It’s never good news, Declan had to come off, we have to see tomorrow what we’ve got. Mosquera is the other one. It’s been a theme this season.

“We have to wait and see [on Mosquera], it’s part of the knee or ankle, we don’t know, he couldn’t tell us exactly. He wasn’t able to continue.”

Clearly, the Gunners boss had little detail to offer on a timeframe around the problems as of yet with more news expected ahead of Aston Villa this weekend.

A lay-off for Mosquera would put a temporary end to a budding second choice centre-back pairing between himself and Hincapie. Speaking about the duo after the Bayern Munich match last week, Arteta had said: “I think he [Mosquera] was really good. With Piero, we need to understand where he's coming from.

“He came from Ecuador after playing two 90s in big trouble – played the derby, the first start that he had in the Premier League, and he finished the game very, very tired. [But] that's the good thing that we have Mosquera who he can play in different positions. He was superb I think, both together with William [Saliba].”

The fixtures continue to come thick and fast for Arsenal ahead of the busy festive period. Arteta has just two days to prepare his side before a trip to Aston Villa on Saturday in the early 12:30 pm kick off.

There’s then Champions League action against Club Brugge in Belgium next Wednesday before Wolves visit the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, December 13.

In other news, Arsenal Player Ratings: 'Sublime' 9/10 but 'frustrating' 5 as Gunners edge past Brentford.