Arsenal legend namechecks Cristhian Mosquera in Premier League title question as Mikel Arteta injury notion shot down

Cristhian Mosquera's standout performance against Liverpool is proof that Arsenal will not lose "quality" if crucial players are sidelined through injury this season, a Gunners legend tells Sports Mole.

Cristhian Mosquera's standout performance for Arsenal against Liverpool is proof that the Gunners will not lose "quality" if any crucial cogs are injured this season, a club legend has claimed.

Mikel Arteta's men lost their perfect 2025-26 Premier League record in a 1-0 loss to the champions on Sunday, succumbing to an extraordinary Dominik Szoboszlai free kick in the final 10 minutes of normal time.

While the Gunners struggled offensively at Anfield, they kept Liverpool at bay from open play despite losing William Saliba to an early ankle injury, which the Frenchman sustained in the warm-up before initially trying to play through.

However, summer signing Mosquera appeared composed in the backline alongside Gabriel Magalhaes, and the former Valencia defender can potentially expect starts against Nottingham Forest, Athletic Bilbao and Manchester City depending on the severity of Saliba's injury.

When asked by Sports Mole whether Arsenal had no excuses not to win the Premier League title following their £250m summer outlay, Nigel Winterburn affirmed that "any trophy" would be worthwhile winning, but Mosquera's recent display should quell any injury fears, saying: "The pressure is higher than ever, but it would have been anyway this season.

Mosquera debut eases Arsenal fears ahead of Premier League title race

"I think it will be harder to win the league this season given Liverpool’s spending and also Chelsea and Man City have also invested a lot.

“Arsenal have added a much deeper quality to their squad and with injuries already occurring, the squad is being stretched. But you saw the debut of Arsenal's new defender [Mosquera] at Liverpool and he looked impressive, so the quality doesn’t fall if one of the top players are injured.

“This is the same for Liverpool who added Isak to their squad and he will really make them hard to stop. So in terms of excuses, it’s always pressure but for me any trophy can be good for the team this season.”

Saliba was able to walk out of Anfield without the need for crutches, although he has pulled out of the France squad for the September international break, and Gooners are anxiously waiting to hear how serious the 24-year-old's ankle sprain is.

Saliba is one of six Arsenal players on the sidelines as Arteta grapples with an early mini-crisis, as Bukayo Saka (hamstring), Kai Havertz (knee), Gabriel Jesus (knee), Ben White (knock) and Christian Norgaard (knock) are also out of action.

Are Arteta's training methods to blame for Arsenal injuries?

Leandro Trossard also picked up an unspecified injury before the Liverpool game - which he managed to shake off - while Martin Odegaard damaged his shoulder in a freak accident against Leeds United and could only make the bench at Anfield.

Odegaard aside, there have been suggestions that Arsenal's wave of injuries in 2024-25 and 2025-26 could be down to perceived over-training, but Winterburn does not buy into that notion.

“I don’t think so," the 1997-98 Premier League winner replied when asked if intense practice is to blame. "Arsenal have gone the season before last with very few injuries and only last season did we see some major injuries.

“It’s a shame so early this season Havertz and Saka are out, but I don’t think it will be long. Ben White we know has carried an injury, but hopefully he won’t be out for long.

“Arsenal’s medical team have always been one of the best, so I am confident they will clear up the injuries and get Saka especially back to full health very soon.”

Arsenal host Forest on September 13 in their first game back following the international break, three days before opening their Champions League campaign away to Athletic.

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