Arsenal's defensive woes have deepened significantly as another centre-back, Cristhian Mosquera, was forced off the pitch during their recent Premier League clash against Brentford. The incident occurred just before halftime when Mosquera landed awkwardly while contesting a header, adding to the Gunners' already mounting injury crisis in defense.
The North London club is already without their first-choice centre-back pairing of Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba. Gabriel is sidelined with an adductor injury sustained while playing for Brazil in a friendly against Senegal. Initial reports suggested he would be out for weeks, and manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Gabriel will remain out for several more weeks. Saliba, on the other hand, was a surprise absentee from the Chelsea match after picking up a knock in training. Arteta described Saliba's injury as a "little niggle" and hopes it will only keep him out for a few days.
With both first-choice centre-backs unavailable, Mosquera, who signed from Valencia this summer, partnered with Piero Hincapie in the heart of the Arsenal defense. However, Mosquera's injury now leaves Arteta with a severe selection headache ahead of their upcoming fixtures, particularly the match against Aston Villa. Jurrien Timber, typically a full-back, replaced Mosquera in the game against Brentford. Timber has impressed at right-back this season but can also play as a centre-half, offering a potential solution for Arteta.
Arsenal's defensive strength was built on control, tactical discipline and adaptability. The absence of key players like Gabriel threatens the structural core of Arsenal's system. Before the injuries, Arsenal had shown squad depth and adaptability, with players like Timber and Calafiori providing defensive versatility.
Other players on Arsenal's injury list include Kai Havertz, who is still recovering from a knee injury sustained earlier in the season. Arteta mentioned that Havertz is still a few weeks away from returning after suffering a setback. Leandro Trossard also missed the Chelsea game with a muscle issue, and his availability for the Aston Villa match remains uncertain.
Despite the growing injury list, Arteta can rely on the depth of the squad. Ben White is another option who can play centre-back. Arteta will be hoping to get some players back in the coming weeks to maintain Arsenal's impressive form. The manager faces a test of his tactical acumen and man-management skills as he navigates this challenging period. The ability of the available players to step up and perform will be crucial in ensuring Arsenal's continued success.
