Arteta Addresses Mosquera Concerns Ahead of Deadline Day
Mikel Arteta moved quickly to ease concerns over Cristhian Mosquera after the defender limped off late in Arsenal’s win over Aston Villa – and then turned his attention straight to a frantic final day of the transfer window.
Mosquera, who had been influential in the build-up to Arsenal’s goal with a sharp pass through the lines to release Eberechi Eze and Riccardo Calafiori, was withdrawn with around ten minutes of normal time remaining after clutching the back of his leg.
For a brief spell, the Emirates held its breath. Then came the change.
Ezri Konsa was sent on for his debut, and against his former club no less, as Arteta chose caution over risk with Mosquera. After the match, the Arsenal manager made it clear the decision was preventative rather than a sign of serious damage.
“He is fine,” Arteta 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 substitution underlined a wider theme that has hung over Arsenal’s summer: depth. Arteta has been open about the need to bolster his squad, especially with the club fighting on four fronts and already feeling the strain in key areas.
The attack remains the main area under review. Lyon winger Malick Fofana is the latest name under consideration as Arsenal weigh up late moves before the window closes.
“We are trying to improve the squad, and until tomorrow night we’re going to try to do that,” Arteta said. “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.”
The balancing act is clear. Arsenal have already seen players depart from their forward line, and while the starting options remain strong, the margin for error is shrinking. Asked whether he felt he had enough in those attacking positions, Arteta’s answer came with a pointed caveat.
“It depends if everybody’s fit or not,” he replied. “We can talk about today, but that scenario might change.”
The manager then lifted the lid on just how fragile the situation has felt at times.
“We knew that with Willy [Saliba] 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. 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 may be minor, but the warning is loud enough. Arsenal have a squad good enough to compete at the top – Arteta knows it. The question now is whether Deadline Day will give him the extra bodies he insists he needs for the long haul.
