Arsenal’s injury list has grown once again, with midfielder Declan Rice and centre-back Christian Mosquera the latest additions. The Gunners’ coach Mikel Arteta has directly linked the spate of injuries to the relentless schedule of European football, highlighting the physical toll on players.
The north London side secured a 2-0 win over Brentford at the Emirates on Wednesday night, with goals from Mikel Merino and Bukayo Saka. The victory extended Arsenal’s lead at the top of the Premier League table to five points. Yet, despite the win, Arteta’s attention quickly turned to the worrying injuries suffered by Rice and Mosquera during the match.
Mosquera was forced off the pitch early in the second half due to a knee or ankle problem, while Rice left the field in the 83rd minute with a muscular issue. “This is not good news,” Arteta said after the match. “Declan had to come off. We’ll assess him tomorrow to see exactly what’s happened. Mosquera is also out. Gabriel and William Saliba are already sidelined, so we’ll have to adapt. Unfortunately, this has been a recurring theme for the season.”
“Declan couldn’t continue. He can walk, but he’s not fit to play,” Arteta added, emphasising the severity of the situation.
Arsenal face Aston Villa next in the Premier League, with the clash scheduled for Saturday evening at Villa Park. Following that, the Gunners must travel to Belgium for a UEFA Champions League fixture. Arteta has voiced frustration over the congestion of fixtures. “We play Wednesday nights and then Saturday mornings. We are playing minute by minute. If players could be given just a bit more time to recover, it would make things much easier.”
The Spaniard continued, urging football authorities to consider the toll on players, particularly teams heavily involved in European competitions. “If we had an extra day, it would benefit all teams competing at this level. I think it’s possible, and it would help,” he said.
Yet Arteta acknowledges the reality of the current schedule and accepts that teams must cope with the demands. “We’ve never had a schedule like this. It’s not just in the Premier League; it’s in every international competition. We have to manage it as best we can,” he said.
“It’s not a matter for debate; it’s common sense. At some point, it becomes too much. Players are not machines, and while we will do everything possible to cope, there is a limit to what can be managed,” he concluded.