Mikel Arteta has played down concerns over Cristhian Mosquera after the Arsenal defender was forced off during the closing stages of Monday night's 1-0 victory over Aston Villa.
Mosquera lined up next to Gabriel at Villa Park but couldn't see out the match, making way for summer arrival Ezri Konsa, who came on to face his old club.
Afterwards, Arteta explained that the decision was precautionary. Mosquera felt something coming on, rather than suffering a clear injury.
Asked for an update on the defender in his post-match press conference, Arteta replied: “Fine, but he was feeling like he was about to have something.”
At this stage, there’s no diagnosis. Arteta’s quick call meant Arsenal acted before anything serious could develop. It remains to be seen if Mosquera will need further checks ahead of the next fixture.
Arsenal Took No Risk With Cristhian MosqueraArteta had already touched on the situation when talking about the depth in his squad.
“Today Mosquera was, he could not continue,” Arteta said. “So we know that the depth has to be really big when you are fighting for four competitions in the manner that we play as well.”
Arsenal’s defensive resources have been stretched early on this season.
With William Saliba and Jurrien Timber both missing the trip to Villa Park, Mosquera and Gabriel were paired at the heart of defence until the Spaniard had to make way.
Konsa’s arrival proved timely, as he was called into action almost straight away.
Having just completed his move from Aston Villa, Konsa travelled with the squad and started on the bench. Mosquera’s withdrawal handed him an Arsenal debut in the tense closing minutes of a game that hung in the balance at 1-0.
Arteta was impressed with how the England international handled the occasion, especially given the backdrop of returning to Villa Park so soon after his departure.
“Ezri makes a debut in really difficult circumstances because it's not easy emotionally to come here and play,” Arteta said.
He described Konsa as “so composed, so calm” and in control after being introduced.
Mosquera, for his part, has made a promising start to the season.
He started next to Gabriel in Arsenal’s opening win over Coventry City and kept his place at Villa, even with Konsa available. That’s now two clean sheets in two games: a comfortable 3-0 against Coventry, followed by a far tighter 1-0 at Villa Park.
Bukayo Saka’s second-half strike proved decisive, with Villa failing to register a single shot on target all night.
Arteta’s initial update on Mosquera should reassure fans after the defender’s early exit. The manager made it clear there was no injury, just a sense that something might be brewing, so he took no chances.
For now, Mosquera’s situation looks far less worrying than the sight of another Arsenal defender limping off might have suggested at first glance.
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