Arsenal restored their five-point lead at the top of the Premier League with a 2-0 victory over Brentford on Wednesday night, but the win came at a cost. Manager Mikel Arteta faces a deepening injury crisis after midfielder Declan Rice and defender Cristhian Mosquera were forced off during the match.
Mikel Merino and Bukayo Saka scored the goals at the Emirates Stadium, securing three crucial points. But the immediate focus shifted to the treatment room as Rice limped off in the 83rd minute with a calf problem, while Mosquera departed shortly before half-time following an awkward landing.
Arteta told reporters after the match: «Yes, obviously it's never good news. Declan had to come off. We don't know. We have to see tomorrow what he's got.»
Rice offers reassurance
Rice later provided a boost by telling Sky Sports News he was «fine» despite the injury scare. Arteta confirmed the England star could walk but was unable to continue playing.
The manager added: «And Mosquera is the other one that is out. Obviously we have big Gabi and Willy out as well. So we have to adapt.»
Defensive crisis deepens
Mosquera's injury compounds Arsenal's problems at centre-back. William Saliba and Gabriel are already sidelined, leaving the squad stretched ahead of Saturday's trip to third-placed Aston Villa, who beat Brighton 4-3 on Wednesday.
Arteta described Mosquera's condition as uncertain: «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.»
The manager indicated Saliba and fellow doubt Leandro Trossard could return within «a matter of days», offering potential relief for the Villa clash.
Schedule concerns
Arteta expressed frustration at the demands on his squad, with Arsenal facing eight games in December. He stated: «We've never had such a schedule on every level, not only in the Premier League, but every competition internationally as well.»
The Spaniard called for more recovery time between fixtures: «So we need to try to do that, please. I think it's common sense. I think at some point this becomes too much, you know, and the players are not machines.»
He acknowledged injuries had become «a theme of this season» despite many players not having accumulated heavy minutes.
Rice praised as league's best
Former England defender Stephen Warnock singled out Rice for praise despite the injury concern. He told WhichBookie: «He's the best player in the league at the moment.»
Rice has started all but one of Arsenal's 14 Premier League matches this season, contributing two goals and four assists while playing in a more advanced role following Martin Zubimendi's summer arrival as a deep-lying midfielder.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
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