Mikel Arteta Plays Down Cristhian Mosquera Injury Fears After Arsenal’s Win At Aston Villa
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has moved to ease concerns surrounding Cristhian Mosquera after the defender was substituted during Monday’s 1-0 victory at Aston Villa.
Mosquera went down clutching his left hamstring with 79 minutes on the clock, prompting Arteta to withdraw him from the action.
Ezri Konsa was brought on as his replacement, helping Arsenal protect their lead for the remainder of the match.
Arteta addressed the situation directly at his post-match press conference, offering reassurance to supporters anxious about the centre-back’s fitness.
“He’s fine, but he was feeling like he was about to have something, and that’s why we have the bench that we have, and that’s why we had to bring Ezri in,” Arteta said.
By the time Mosquera was withdrawn, Arsenal were already in front thanks to Bukayo Saka, who scored the decisive goal in the 59th minute from close range after Riccardo Calafiori delivered a low cross.
Ebere Eze was also involved in the build-up as Arsenal claimed their second league win and second clean sheet of the season.
Villa, meanwhile, are still searching for their first shot on target of the new campaign, a damning early-season statistic for the home side.
It was a fiercely contested physical encounter, with Villa committing 17 fouls across the match compared to just six from Arsenal.
Saka alone was fouled six times throughout the game, yet referee Jarred Gillett appeared to offer the winger little protection despite the persistent rough treatment.
Arsenal were forced to substitute Christos Tzolis at half-time, with John McGinn and the Villa crowd pushing hard to earn him a second yellow card.
A penalty was awarded to Arsenal in the 54th minute after Ian Maatsen fouled Saka, though VAR correctly intervened to determine the foul had started outside the area, reducing it to a free-kick.
The most contentious moment came in the 98th minute when Maatsen appeared to scissor Bruno Guimaraes inside the penalty box in what looked like a clear spot-kick.
VAR reviewed the incident and remarkably chose to uphold the on-field decision, despite widespread belief that Maatsen had not cleanly won the ball.
Arsenal will now turn their attention to their next challenge, with Arteta likely to monitor Mosquera’s condition closely over the coming days before making any further assessment.
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