Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed a significant injury blow to the Gunners’ defensive ranks, revealing that Spanish center-back Cristhian Mosquera will be sidelined for “weeks” after sustaining an ankle injury during the midweek victory over Brentford. The 23-year-old’s absence compounds Arsenal’s ongoing defensive crisis, with all three senior center-backs now unavailable for selection as the North London club navigates a crucial period in their 2025-26 campaign.
Speaking in his post-match press conference following Arsenal’s 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa on Saturday, Arteta delivered the disappointing news that Mosquera’s injury is significantly worse than initially anticipated. “He’s going to be out for weeks, unfortunately, it’s much more than what we expected. But the player was feeling it, so he’s going to be out for weeks,” the Spanish manager stated, his concern evident as Arsenal face mounting injury problems across multiple positions.
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The Injury Incident Against Brentford
Cristhian Mosquera suffered the injury during Arsenal’s 2-0 Premier League victory over Brentford on Wednesday night at the Emirates Stadium. The Spanish U21 international, who had been filling in admirably for the injured William Saliba in the heart of the defense, landed awkwardly after jumping for a header in the first half. The defender immediately signaled distress and was unable to continue, being substituted in the 42nd minute by Jurrien Timber.
Initially, the sight of Mosquera walking off the pitch under his own power provided some reassurance to Arsenal supporters and the club’s medical staff. Arteta commented immediately after the Brentford match that the defender had sustained “a knee or ankle” issue, with the exact nature of the problem unclear at that stage. However, further medical tests conducted over the following days revealed the extent of the damage to be far more serious than initially feared.
According to multiple reports, including from BBC Sport journalist Sami Mokbel, Cristhian Mosquera is expected to be sidelined for between six and eight weeks with ankle ligament damage. This timeline would potentially rule him out until late January or early February 2026, missing crucial Premier League fixtures, Champions League knockout matches, and potentially FA Cup ties depending on Arsenal’s progression in the competition.
Arsenal’s Deepening Defensive Crisis
Mosquera’s injury represents the latest setback in what has become a nightmarish situation for Arsenal’s defensive department. The Gunners are currently without all three of their senior center-backs, creating unprecedented selection headaches for Arteta as his side competes on multiple fronts.
Brazilian defender Gabriel Magalhães has been ruled out until January with his own injury concern, while French international William Saliba is also currently sidelined. Arteta has previously indicated that Saliba’s issue is “minor” and described him as being “a matter of days” from a potential return, offering some hope that Arsenal may soon have at least one first-choice center-back available again.
In the absence of their established defensive partnership, Arsenal have been forced to field makeshift arrangements at the heart of their backline. Against Aston Villa, Arteta deployed Jurrien Timber and Piero Hincapié as his center-back pairing, with neither player being natural options in those positions. The defensive reshuffling was exposed as Villa secured a dramatic 2-1 victory through Emiliano Buendía’s 95th-minute winner, ending Arsenal’s 18-match unbeaten run.
Mosquera’s Impact Since Summer Arrival
Cristhian Mosquera’s absence is particularly frustrating for Arsenal given the impressive form he has shown since arriving from Valencia in the summer transfer window. The Gunners secured the Spanish defender for a modest fee of £13 million, and he has quickly justified that investment with mature, composed performances whenever called upon.
The Spain U21 international has been tasked with the challenging responsibility of replacing both Saliba and Gabriel during their respective absences over recent months, and he impressed observers with his reading of the game, physical presence, and technical ability on the ball. His performances had established him as a reliable third-choice center-back option and provided Arsenal with valuable squad depth in a position where injuries have become problematic.
Arteta had praised Mosquera’s adaptation to English football and his willingness to step up when needed, making his injury all the more untimely. The defender’s versatility and composure had made him an increasingly important squad member, and his extended absence will force Arsenal to explore alternative defensive solutions during a congested fixture schedule.
The Dangerous Circle of Injuries
Arsenal’s injury problems extend far beyond the defensive department, with the club recording 28 injuries this season—the highest figure in the Premier League. Arteta has described the situation as a “really dangerous circle,” acknowledging that when key players are missing, the burden on remaining squad members increases, leading to further injury risks.
When asked if training methods might be partly to blame for the mounting injury toll, Arteta defended his approach: “No, because we don’t have time to train. Today we’ve done 20 minutes, so surely it’s not because we over-trained the players. But obviously when you are missing players, you are loading other players and there is a consequence to that, and it’s a really dangerous circle.”
The Arsenal manager has attributed many of the injuries to the unprecedented fixture calendar, pointing to the lack of recovery time between matches as a significant contributing factor. The Gunners have faced a relentless schedule across Premier League, Champions League, and domestic cup competitions, leaving minimal opportunities for rest and recovery.
Beyond Mosquera, Arsenal’s current injury list includes Kai Havertz, who hasn’t played a single minute this season due to a hamstring issue sustained in pre-season, and teenager Max Dowman, who has been ruled out for weeks with ankle ligament damage. Martin Ødegaard, Bukayo Saka, Ben White, Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Jesus, Viktor Gyökeres, Noni Madueke, Christian Norgaard, and Riccardo Calafiori have all faced injury spells during the campaign, some suffering multiple setbacks.
Managing the Workload Ahead
With Cristhian Mosquera now confirmed out for an extended period, Arteta faces crucial decisions about squad rotation and workload management in the coming weeks. Arsenal will be in Champions League action against Club Brugge on Wednesday before hosting Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League on Saturday.
The Arsenal manager has indicated the need to carefully manage certain players, particularly those who have overcome recent knocks. Declan Rice, who suffered a tight calf against Brentford but recovered to play over 90 minutes against Villa, is a candidate for rest during the midweek European fixture. The England international made 21 defensive contributions against Villa, highlighting his importance to Arsenal’s system, but also the physical demands being placed on him.
Arsenal can secure their place in the Champions League knockout rounds with victory in Belgium, almost certainly guaranteeing a top-eight finish and automatic qualification to the last 16. This provides Arteta with an opportunity to rotate his squad and protect key players for the crucial domestic fixtures ahead.
Looking Ahead
As Cristhian Mosquera begins his recovery from ankle ligament damage, Arsenal must navigate a critical period without their full complement of defensive options. The return of William Saliba will provide much-needed reinforcement, but the extended absences of Gabriel and now Mosquera will continue to test Arsenal’s squad depth.
The Gunners’ ability to maintain their title challenge and progress in multiple competitions will depend significantly on how effectively Arteta can manage his depleted defensive resources while waiting for injured players to return to fitness.
FAQs
How long will Cristhian Mosquera be out injured?
Cristhian Mosquera is expected to be sidelined for six to eight weeks with ankle ligament damage, potentially ruling him out until late January or early February 2026.
How did Cristhian Mosquera get injured?
Mosquera sustained the ankle injury during Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Brentford on December 4, 2025, when he landed awkwardly after jumping for a header in the first half and had to be substituted in the 42nd minute.
How many center-backs does Arsenal currently have injured?
Arsenal currently have all three senior center-backs unavailable—William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhães, and Cristhian Mosquera—creating a significant defensive crisis for manager Mikel Arteta.
How much did Arsenal pay for Cristhian Mosquera?
Arsenal signed Cristhian Mosquera from Valencia for £13 million during the summer 2025 transfer window, and he has impressed with his performances before the injury.
How many injuries have Arsenal had this season?
Arsenal have recorded 28 injuries this season, the highest number in the Premier League, with Mikel Arteta describing the situation as a “really dangerous circle” affecting squad depth.
