Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is facing a deepening defensive injury crisis after summer signing Cristhian Mosquera became the latest centre-back to be struck down.
Another Blow Under the Emirates Lights
The Gunners' 3-2 victory over Brentford on Wednesday, 3rd December 2025, was marred by another significant setback. Spanish defender Cristhian Mosquera, who joined from Villarreal for £13 million this summer, was forced off shortly before half-time after pulling up following an aerial challenge.
He was replaced by Jurrien Timber, but the damage was done, adding to a growing list of absentees in Arsenal's backline. This leaves Arteta with a severely depleted defensive unit as the hectic festive fixture schedule begins.
Arteta's Defensive Casualty List Grows
Mosquera now joins first-choice pairing Gabriel Magalhães and William Saliba on the treatment table, creating a farcical situation for the Arsenal boss. Speaking after the match, a concerned Arteta provided a vague update on the new problem.
“It’s never good news,” Arteta said. “Mosquera is the other one. It’s been a theme this season. We have to wait and see, it’s part of the knee or ankle, we don’t know, he couldn’t tell us exactly. He wasn’t able to continue.”
Gabriel has been sidelined since the last international break with a thigh issue, with Arteta previously indicating the Brazilian would be ‘some weeks’ away, potentially ruling him out until the New Year. Saliba, meanwhile, missed the Brentford game with a minor ‘niggle’ picked up in training before the Chelsea match, though his issue is considered less serious.
Consequences for Arsenal's Festive Fixtures
The timing of Mosquera's injury is particularly cruel for Arteta. The young defender had impressed in the draw against Chelsea and had started confidently against Brentford, forming a promising partnership with Piero Hincapie.
Arteta had praised the duo after the Bayern Munich clash, stating Mosquera was “really good” and “superb”. His absence puts a temporary halt to that developing understanding at the heart of defence.
With just two days to prepare, Arsenal now travel to face Aston Villa in a 12:30 pm kick-off on Saturday. They then face Club Brugge in the Champions League next Wednesday before hosting Wolves on Saturday, 13th December. Arteta must quickly find solutions to his defensive headache as the games continue to arrive thick and fast.
