Arsenal's crucial 2-0 Premier League victory over Brentford at the Emirates Stadium has been severely overshadowed by a mounting injury crisis, with two more key players forced off the pitch.
Double Blow for Arteta as Key Players Succumb
The Gunners secured all three points thanks to a first-half header from Mikel Merino and a late strike from Bukayo Saka. However, the celebrations were muted as manager Mikel Arteta watched midfield lynchpin Declan Rice and defender Cristhian Mosquera leave the action prematurely due to injuries.
Declan Rice's departure in the 83rd minute was a particular concern for the home support. The England international was substituted for Viktor Gyokeres and, while he walked off unaided, he was later seen with his left calf strapped and an ice pack applied. Arteta confirmed post-match that Rice "couldn't carry on playing, so he had to come off" and stated the club would assess the injury fully the following day.
Defensive Resources Stretched to Breaking Point
The problems began even earlier, compounding an already difficult situation in defence. Cristhian Mosquera, who was starting at centre-back due to the absences of Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba, was forced off before half-time. Arteta revealed the young defender was unsure if the issue was with his knee or ankle, leaving the medical team with immediate uncertainty.
His exit forced Jurrien Timber into action for over 45 minutes, further depleting Arteta's options at the back. Despite these disruptive forced changes, Arsenal's rejigged defence managed to hold firm and keep a clean sheet against a determined Brentford side.
Brentford's Fight and Arsenal's Lingering Concerns
Brentford coach Keith Andrews took pride in his team's performance despite the defeat, stating they "unnerved" Arsenal and caused the hosts "untold problems" throughout the contest. His comments highlighted that Arsenal's win, while valuable, was hard-fought and came at a significant cost.
The immediate focus for the club now shifts from the table to the treatment room. With a packed festive fixture list ahead, the severity of the injuries to Rice and Mosquera will be of paramount importance, potentially forcing Arteta to delve into his squad's depth sooner than he would have liked.
