Arsenal's 2-0 victory over Brentford at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday was overshadowed by fresh injury concerns for manager Mikel Arteta. The Gunners, who are striving to win the Premier League title, are already dealing with a number of sidelined players, and the latest setbacks have added to Arteta's worries.
Declan Rice Injury Scare Declan Rice, a key player in Arsenal's midfield, was forced off the pitch in the second half, clutching his calf. He gestured to the medical staff, indicating a potential calf problem. The extent of the injury is currently unknown, but his substitution will be a cause for concern for Arteta.
Mosquera's Ankle Issue Adding to Arsenal's woes, Cristhian Mosquera was also substituted in the first half with an apparent ankle injury. Mosquera seemed to injure his ankle after jumping for a header. The severity of his injury is also yet to be determined.
Arteta's Reaction and Previous Injury Concerns Arteta has acknowledged the disruptive nature of the injuries. Speaking after the game, Arteta expressed his concern over the mounting injury list. The Arsenal manager is hoping that the injuries to Rice and Mosquera are not too serious, with a busy run of fixtures coming up in December.
Arsenal have faced several fitness concerns throughout the season. Gabriel Magalhaes is still recovering from a muscle injury, while Kai Havertz is also expected to be out for several weeks following minor knee surgery. William Saliba and Leandro Trossard were also recent doubts, missing the game against Chelsea due to knocks.
High-Profile Returns The injury concerns come shortly after several high-profile players returned to the squad. Martin Odegaard, Noni Madueke, Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus and Viktor Gyokeres have all recently returned from injury. Gyokeres made a cameo appearance against Chelsea, while Jesus was named on the bench.
Learning from the Past Arteta has spoken about how the injury problems the team faced last season have prepared them for the current campaign. He stated that they have learned to put together a more reliable squad with more options, and that players have to be able to fulfill different roles.
Looking Ahead Despite the injuries, Arsenal managed to secure a 2-0 victory against Brentford, maintaining their position at the top of the Premier League table. However, Arteta knows that he needs his key players fit if Arsenal are to maintain their title challenge. The manager will be hoping for positive news regarding the injuries to Rice and Mosquera in the coming days.
