Arteta Addresses Mosquera Concerns as Arsenal Eyes Attack Boost

Mikel Arteta moved quickly to ease concerns over Cristhian Mosquera after the defender hobbled off in Arsenal’s win over Aston Villa – and then turned his attention straight to a frantic Deadline Day.

Mosquera, influential again, had been at the heart of one of Arsenal’s best moves of the game, threading a sharp pass through the lines to release Eberechi Eze and Riccardo Calafiori and crack Villa open. Then came the worry. With around 10 minutes of normal time left, he reached for the back of his leg and signalled that he could not continue.

The mood dipped. Arsenal’s bench stirred.

Ezri Konsa was sent on for his debut, and against his former club no less, as the Gunners reshuffled at the back. Any fear that Mosquera had suffered a serious muscle problem, though, was quickly played down by Arteta afterwards.

“He is fine,” the Arsenal manager said. “But he was feeling like he was about to have something. That’s why we have the bench that we have, that’s why we had to bring Ezri on.”

The change underlined the balancing act Arsenal are trying to manage: pushing hard on four fronts while keeping key players fresh and available. Arteta knows the margins are thin. He also knows the squad is not yet where he wants it.

Transfer window focus

With the clock ticking towards the deadline, Arsenal remain active in the market, particularly in attack. Lyon forward Malick Fofana is the latest name under consideration as the club weigh up one last move to sharpen their frontline.

“We are trying to improve the squad, and until tomorrow night we’re going to try to do that,” Arteta said.

He admitted he had effectively stepped away from the noise in the build-up to the Villa game.

“I’ve been disconnected from the world for 24 hours, because I think my energy and focus has to be on the match, and I will get back on it now.”

Depth under scrutiny

The question now is whether Arsenal have enough firepower and cover if they do not manage to land another attacker before the window shuts. Arteta’s answer was blunt: it all hinges on fitness.

“It depends if everybody’s fit or not,” he said. “We can talk about today, but that scenario might change.”

He pointed to the recent absence of Willy Saliba as a warning sign of how quickly plans can unravel.

“We knew that with Willy out, we had an injury in the back line. We knew we were in big trouble, so we had to do everything. And today, Mosquera, he could not continue.”

That, for Arteta, is the reality of a season fought on multiple fronts with a high-intensity style that demands constant running and repeated sprints from his defenders as much as his forwards.

“So we know that the depth has to be really big when you’re fighting for four competitions, in the manner that we play as well. So we’re going to try to do that.”

Mosquera’s issue looks minor. The bigger question is whether Arsenal can land the extra attacking edge Arteta wants before the window slams shut – or whether this group, stretched across four competitions, will be asked to carry the load as they are.