Arsenal defender Cristhian Mosquera is facaing a significant spell on the sidelines with what Mikel Arteta described as a ‘complicated’ injury.
The summer signing from Valencia has made a positive impression since his arrival, filling in capably for both William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaees when required.
Mosquera appeared to be forming a promising partnership with fellow new recruit Piero Hincapie with both of Arteta’s frontline central defenders unavailable for the recent games against Chelsea and Brentford.
The Spain under-21 international was, however, cut down in his prime in midweek when he landed awkwardly following an aerial challenge and was unable to continue.
According to The BBC, Mosquera could now miss between six to eight weeks, which would rule him out of a number of crucial fixtures.
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‘That’s the one that is more complicated,’ said Arteta when asked about Mosquera’s condition at his pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday’s game against Aston VIlla.
‘But again, we have another test today to see where we are with them.’
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The Gunners are, meanwhile, also sweating on the fitness of Declan Rice ahead of the vital game at Villa Park after the talismanic midfielder failed to complete 90 minutes against the Bees.
‘Let’s see,’ said Arteta. ‘I think with all the questions I’m going to get, the answer, unfortunately, is going to be the same. We have another training session in the afternoon.
‘Every hour is going to be very important to see the availability of the players. After that, we’ll decide which ones [are available].’
Mikel Merino, meanwhile, could continue as Arsenal’s central striker even when their regular frontmen are fit again.
Spain midfielder Merino has been playing as an emergency number nine in the absence of Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus through injury.
The 29-year-old scored Arsenal’s first goal against Brentford on Wednesday and set up Bukayo Saka for the second as a 2-0 win maintained their five-point lead at the top of the Premier League.
And boss Mikel Arteta admits Merino’s performances up top mean he remains an option even though Gyokeres and Jesus are edging back to fitness.
“I think he has earned at least to be in the thinking behind it for the way he’s performing and the impact that he’s bringing to the team, so that’s a yes,” said Arteta.
“And playing together, those are the things that we have prepared during the summer because of the squad that we have, and so far we haven’t been able to.”