Arsenal’s developing defensive injury crisis worsened significantly after Cristhian Mosquera was forced off just before half-time during their Premier League match against Brentford on Wednesday evening, according to a report from The Independent.
The Gunners were already without their first-choice centre-back pairing, Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba.
Mosquera, who signed from Valencia in the summer, was playing alongside fellow new signing Piero Hincapie due to these absences.
The 21-year-old Spaniard “landed awkwardly after leaping to contest a header” around the 40-minute mark, “winced and hobbled immediately upon landing before going down.”
He was replaced by Jurrien Timber, who often plays as a centre-half for the Netherlands.
Regarding the other injured players, manager Mikel Arteta was “more hopeful” about Saliba, stating: “He had a niggle but I think it’s going to be a matter of days [until he returns].” The 24-year-old French international missed the clash after picking up a knock in training.
The news was “slightly less positive” concerning Gabriel, as the Brazilian is battling a thigh injury picked up on international duty last month.
Arteta confirmed that for “Big Gabi… that’s weeks as well,” which may rule him out until after Christmas. Arsenal now face a race against time for their next fixture against Aston Villa on Saturday.