Arsenal face Aston Villa on Saturday, and the mood is tense. The team has many injuries, and the list keeps growing. William Saliba, Cristhian Mosquera and Gabriel Magalhães are all carrying issues. Then, Declan Rice gave fans a shock in midweek after he felt pain in his calf. So, Arsenal travel to Villa Park with fear and hope mixed together. And now, Mikel Arteta must rely on every fit player he has.
🚨 Arsenal Injury Update 📋
Declan Rice
Return date: Unknown 🤕
Cristhian Mosquera
Return date: Unknown 🩺
William Saliba
Return date: Aston Villa (A) – December 6 🔙
Leandro Trossard
Return date: Aston Villa (A) – December 6 💪
Gabriel Magalhães
Return date: December 2025… pic.twitter.com/jXlDB6ad6z
— Arsenal Radar (@ArsenalRadar) December 4, 2025
How Arsenal Face Aston Villa Under Strain
This match comes at an important time. Arsenal want to stay near the top of the Premier League table. They also want to keep their strong form alive. The team usually depends on a solid defence. Saliba and Gabriel give that strength, and they help Arsenal push high, press fast, and stay in control.
However, Villa Park is never simple. Aston Villa play with speed and power at home, and they have won many tough games there. Last season, Arsenal had to fight hard to win. So, with many defenders missing now, the task becomes even harder. And the pressure grows with every new injury.
The Big Injury News as Arsenal Face Aston Villa
Declan Rice worried fans when he touched his calf against Brentford. He came off late in the game and looked unsure. But, after the match, he told Sky Sports he was “fine”. And that helped. Even so, Arsenal will check him again before the match. If he plays, it will be a huge boost.
But the bigger problem is Cristhian Mosquera. He fell badly while jumping for a header. He tried to continue, but he could not. BBC Sport says he will miss at least six weeks. Arteta called this injury “complicated”, and that shows how serious it is.
William Saliba also remains a doubt. He missed the Chelsea match after a knock in training. Then he missed the win over Brentford too. Arteta said he is “days” away but not fully ready yet.
Gabriel Magalhães is further behind. He hurt his adductor with Brazil, and Arteta says he still needs “weeks”.
Leandro Trossard has not played the last two games. He has a muscle issue. And Kai Havertz is still on the long road back after knee surgery. Jesus and Gyokeres may help the attack, but the defence is thin.
Mood Among Supporters
Fans reacted fast on social media. Many felt scared after seeing three centre-backs on the injury list. Some wrote that facing Villa without Saliba and Gabriel “feels impossible”. Others said the team may need a “patchwork defence”.
Yet, when Rice said he was fine, there was a wave of relief. Supporters praised his calm nature and his drive to play. Still, the main feeling is worry. Villa Park is loud, strong and intense. And every Arsenal fan knows the team must be perfect to survive there.
🚨 | Mikel Arteta has confirmed that William Saliba is only days away from returning to the squad.
Likely won’t be available for the Villa match.
Great news nonetheless, especially with Mosquera also picking up an injury. Timber and White to start on the right side of… pic.twitter.com/IsukZYBysS
— Punch Drunk Arsenal (@PunchDrunkAFC) December 5, 2025
How This Affects the Season
These injuries matter a lot. Without Saliba and Gabriel, Arsenal lose power in the air, calm on the ball and control in defence. Mosquera being out for weeks makes it even harder. Now, Tomiyasu, White and Kiwior must play bigger roles.
This run of injuries could also affect the title race. If Arsenal drop points now, it will hurt later. And the situation may even push the club to act in the January window. Therefore, every game from here becomes more important.
Conclusion
Arsenal step into Villa Park with hope, nerves and many injuries. The next few days will show who returns, who recovers and who must step up. And soon, we will see how strong this squad truly is. When big names are absent from the lineup.
As featured on GoonerNews.com