Gunners also remain without Gabriel, Leandro Trossard and Kai Havertz as fitness problems continue to mount

Your matchday briefing on Arsenal, featuring team news and expert analysis from Simon Collings

Arsenal are sweating over the fitness of Declan Rice after a battling victory over Brentford on Wednesday.

 

Goals from Mikel Merino and Bukayo Saka re-established the Gunners’ five-point lead at the top of the Premier League, but the game was partly marred by a possible fitness issue for the influential midfielder and centre-back Cristhian Mosquera.

The injury concerns keep on mounting for Arsenal, after William Saliba sat out his second game in a row due to a knock sustained in training last weekend. Centre-back partner Gabriel still faces “weeks” out.

 

Any enforced absence for the pair comes at the worst possible time for Arsenal, who have a packed fixture schedule with upcoming games against Aston Villa, Club Brugge, Wolves, Everton and Crystal Palace before Christmas.

 

Here is the latest Arsenal injury news and return dates ahead of the weekend…

 

Declan Rice

 

The midfielder was withdrawn late on during Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Brentford.

 

Declan Rice needed treatment on his calf before being replaced

 

Action Images via Reuters

 

Rice, who has started 13 of Arsenal’s 14 league games so far this season, was replaced by Viktor Gyokeres in the 83rd minute after he required treatment on his calf.

 

The England international has been an ever-present for league leaders Arsenal, and his withdrawal comes as Mikel Arteta contends with a growing injury list.

 

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Arteta confirmed after the game that Rice “can walk, [but] cannot play.”

 

The Gunners boss told reporters: “Declan had to come off, we don’t know. We have to see tomorrow what he’s got.”

 

However, Rice later told Sky Sports upon exiting the Emirates that he was “fine” in a major boost.

 

Potential return date: Unknown pending further assessment, possibly Saturday December 6, vs Aston Villa (A)

 



 

Cristhian Mosquera was forced off after an awkward landing

 

REUTERS

 

Cristhian Mosquera

 

Arsenal’s injury problems in defence may have deepened after Mosquera was withdrawn during the first half against Brentford.

 

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The Spanish centre-back landed awkwardly after contesting for a header with Kevin Schade and required treatment on the pitch before being replaced by Jurrien Timber.

 

It remains unclear how severe Mosquera’s injury is, with Arteta telling reporters after the game that “we have to wait and see”, adding: “It’s probably part of the knee or ankle, we don’t know.

 

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“He could not really tell us exactly how it was, but he wasn’t able to continue.”

 

Potential return date: Unknown pending further assessment

 



 

William Saliba is sidelined with a knock

 

Getty Images

 

William Saliba

 

Arsenal fans were stunned to see Saliba not involved when the team sheet dropped at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, with Arsenal writing on social media: “William Saliba misses out after a knock in training.”

 

Arteta did not specify exactly what the issue was as he addressed the media before and after the game, but revealed that the centre-back would undergo further examination by medical staff on Monday to determine its extent.

 

“I think he has another test tomorrow to see the extent of that feeling, that sensation that he had, then we’ll know more,” Arteta said.

 

Providing a further update on Tuesday ahead of the Brentford game, Arteta said Saliba had a small issue but did not rule out the prospect of him playing on Wednesday ahead of a final pre-match training session.

 

“He had a little niggle, so I think it’s going to be a matter of days, so let’s see if he’s able to be there tomorrow,” Arteta said.

 

“The ankle one [earlier in the season] was really random, and a very unlucky action that kept him out for a few weeks. He tried at Anfield, he wasn’t comfortable and he had to stay away.

 

“This one as well, very bizarre, but hopefully it will be a matter of days.”

 

Saliba was not involved against Brentford in the end so will hope to push to be back at Villa Park.

 

Potential return date: Saturday December 6, vs Aston Villa (A)

 



 

Gabriel and William Saliba are crucial players for Arsenal in the heart of defence

 

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

 

Gabriel

 

Saliba’s surprise absence against Chelsea came with Arsenal already missing regular defensive partner Gabriel due to an adductor injury suffered while playing for Brazil in a friendly against Senegal at the Emirates last month.

 

The 27-year-old was expected to miss a period of “weeks” as a result of the problem, having been scheduled to undergo a further scan to allow for a clearer time frame for his recovery to emerge.

 

Arteta confirmed after the draw at Chelsea that Gabriel would still be sidelined for a while yet.

 

“With Gabi, there are still some weeks to go,” he said.

 

Speaking on Gabriel again on Tuesday, Arteta said: “Big Gabi is doing very well as well, but that’s weeks as well.”

 

Potential return date: December/January

 

Leandro Trossard

 

Before Rice, Mosquera and Saliba, the latest key addition to Arsenal’s injury list had been Leandro Trossard, who limped off with a muscle issue during the first half of last Wednesday’s statement 3-1 win over Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

 

Arteta expressed hope that the Belgian winger would make a quick recovery and be available to face Chelsea, though he ended up missing out on the squad.

 

Like Saliba, the Arsenal boss said on Tuesday that Trossard’s return was also a “matter of days”, so he could make his comeback against Aston Villa having not been involved in the win over Brentford.

 

Potential return date: Saturday December 6, vs Aston Villa (A)

 

 

Leandro Trossard was forced off in the first half of Arsenal’s win over Bayern Munich

 

Kai Havertz

 

The only long-term absentee now yet to return for Arsenal is Kai Havertz, who has not played since undergoing surgery on a knee injury sustained against Manchester United on the opening weekend of the season.

 

After he missed out against Bayern Munich, Arteta was hopeful that Havertz – along with fellow forward Gyokeres – could make his comeback in some capacity against former club Chelsea.

 

However, he was not involved again and Arteta has now confirmed that Havertz remains weeks away from playing after a setback first confirmed by Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann last month.

 

“A matter of weeks,” Arteta said on Tuesday. “Let’s see how he evolves in the next few weeks. He is doing really well, he is doing stuff on the pitch, but I think he needs some time.

 

Kai Havertz has not played for Arsenal since the opening weekend of the season

 

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

 

“He was doing everything. He could not go to the next level and now it is looking like we have unlocked that. We are all desperate to have him.

 

“I mean it is a player that, personally, I love so much for what he brings to the team – his character, his personality. I see him suffer, being outside.

 

“His playing record is phenomenal, he has always been available and I cannot wait to have him back around the team, playing, because I think it is going to be a massive boost.”

 

Potential return date: December/January