Arsenal's 2-0 Premier League victory over Brentford on Wednesday has been overshadowed by a fresh injury concern for young defender Cristhian Mosquera, casting a shadow over the league leaders' defensive resources.
Awkward Landing Forces Early Exit
The 21-year-old centre-back was forced to leave the pitch during the first half of the match at the Emirates Stadium. The incident occurred just before half-time when Mosquera contested an aerial challenge with Brentford's Kevin Schade. He landed awkwardly following the tackle and was unable to continue, limping off after 44 minutes of play.
Speaking after the match, manager Mikel Arteta expressed immediate concern. "Yes, obviously it's never good news," Arteta stated, confirming the setback. He revealed the club's uncertainty, adding, "We have to see tomorrow what he's got... He could not really tell us exactly how it was, but he wasn't able to continue." Initial fears point towards a potential knee or ankle issue.
Social Media Message Adds to Anxiety
On Thursday, the day after the match, Mosquera took to his Instagram story, sharing a cryptic update that did little to reassure fans. He posted two action shots from his brief appearance against Brentford without any written caption. The images were accompanied by music snippets, including the song "Funky – Eres Mi Bendición" and "gio. and Aaron Cole – GOD'S TIMING".
This social media activity has left supporters speculating about the severity of the problem as the club awaits a full medical assessment.
Mounting Defensive Crisis for Arteta
Mosquera's potential absence compounds a significant defensive injury crisis for Arsenal, who currently sit five points clear at the top of the Premier League. The Spaniard had been deputising in the starting lineup due to injuries to first-choice pairing William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães.
Gabriel is facing weeks on the sidelines after sustaining a thigh injury while on international duty with Brazil. Meanwhile, French international Saliba missed the last two matches, including the 1-1 draw with Chelsea, after picking up a problem in the build-up to that London derby.
Mosquera had started the last two games, partnering Piero Hincapie, and his fresh setback leaves Arteta with severely depleted options at the back. "Obviously we have Gabriel and Willy are out as well. So we have to adapt," the manager admitted, highlighting the challenge.
The injury news was part of a double blow during the Brentford game, with midfielder Declan Rice also requiring substitution. Arteta confirmed Rice "can walk" but "cannot play," criticising the congested fixture schedule that sees Arsenal play again on Saturday morning.
With the Premier League title race heating up, Arsenal's medical team now faces a critical period. The fitness of Cristhian Mosquera will be closely monitored, as his potential medium-term absence could force Mikel Arteta into further defensive reshuffles during a pivotal stage of the season.
