Arsenal defender Cristhian Mosquera is a doubt for the Gunners’ game against Aston Villa on Saturday as he’s dealing with a knee injury.
The Gunners beat Brentford 2-0 on Wednesday night, extending their lead at the top of the Premier League table to five points. However, the match did come at a cost, as Mikel Arteta saw Declan Rice and Cristhian Mosquera suffer injuries.
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Mosquera had to be subbed off after 44 minutes with a knee injury, and he is now being assessed ahead of a tough trip to Villa Park at the weekend.
Mikel Arteta said after the game on Wednesday: “We have to wait and see. It’s probably the knee or ankle. We don’t know. He could not really tell us exactly how it was, but he wasn’t able to continue.”
Expected return date – Saturday 6 December vs Aston Villa (A)
Declan Rice
As mentioned, Rice also suffered an injury, meaning he is expected to be assessed ahead of the Aston Villa game too. It would be a huge loss if Arsenal were without their midfield star, who is undoubtedly one of the best in the world right now.
Rice suffered a calf issue, and had to be taken off after 83 minutes, in favour of Viktor Gyokeres, he is now a doubt for the weekend.
Arteta said: “Declan had to come off, we don’t know, we’ll have to see tomorrow what he’s got.” – It is unclear how serious his injury is at this stage.
Expected return date – Saturday 6 December vs Aston Villa (A)
William Saliba
Saliba missed the game against Brentford as he was dealing with a minor knock that he picked up in training before the Chelsea game last weekend. Arteta confirmed that it wasn’t a big problem though, and he should be available again this week.
The Arsenal boss said: “The ankle [earlier in the season] was really random, and a very unlucky action that kept him out for a few weeks. This one as well, very bizarre, but hopefully it will be a matter of days.”
Expected return date – Saturday 6 December vs Aston Villa (A)
Leandro Trossard
Trossard picked up a minor knock against Chelsea too, and is also being assessed ahead of the weekend. He was unable to feature against Brentford, but isn’t expected to be out for a long time, with many reports suggesting a return against Villa this weekend.
Expected return date – Saturday 6 December vs Aston Villa (A)
Gabriel
Gabriel is still expected out for a little while longer. He is recovering from a groin injury that he sustained whilst on international duty with Brazil, and is now looking at coming back around Christmas.
Arteta said earlier this week: “Big Gabi is doing very well, but that’s weeks as well.” – He is currently looking at a return on December 27 against Brighton.
Expected return date – Saturday 27 December vs Brighton (H)
Kai Havertz
Havertz suffered a set back in his recovery of his knee injury in the past week or so, meaning that he likely won’t return to action until around the New Year.
Mikel Arteta said earlier in the week: “Matter of weeks. Let’s see how it evolves… He’s doing really well, he’s doing stuff on the pitch, but I think he needs some time. He was doing everything; he could not go to the next level. We are all desperate to have him.”
Expected return date – Tuesday 30 December vs Aston Villa (H)