Arteta confirms Mosquera is fine after Arsenal grind out 1-0 win at Aston Villa

Mikel Arteta confirmed that Cristhian Mosquera is “fine” after the Spanish defender was withdrawn as a precaution during Arsenal’s 1-0 Premier League win at Aston Villa on Monday night, with Bukayo Saka’s second-half strike securing back-to-back victories for the champions.

Arteta moved quickly to ease concerns over the 22-year-old, explaining that the decision was made to protect the squad given the absence of Jurrien Timber. “Mosquera could not continue, so we know the depth has to be really big when we’re fighting for four competitions in the manner that we play,” the Arsenal manager said post-match. “He’s fine, but he was feeling like he was about to have something, and that’s why we have the bench that we have.”

The situation prompted Arteta to introduce new signing Ezri Konsa, who made his Arsenal debut against his former club and was met with jeers from the Villa Park crowd. Arteta was full of praise for the defender’s composure in difficult circumstances. “Ezri makes a debut in really difficult circumstances; it’s not easy emotionally to come here and play. But he looks so composed, so calm, so in control.”

Arsenal were far from fluent, registering their only effort on target shortly before the hour mark before Saka converted to settle the contest. Despite the laboured display, defender Riccardo Calafiori — who provided the assist for Saka’s goal, his second of the season — insisted the result was all that mattered at a ground where the Gunners have historically found it difficult.

“At the end of the game, it’s so important for us, especially at a tough place like this one — we just want to win when we come here and we did it,” Calafiori said. The Italian also highlighted the team’s defensive resolve, pointing to a clean sheet as the foundation for the victory after what he described as an unsatisfactory pre-season in terms of goals conceded.

“I’m so happy with the clean sheet,” he added. “If we don’t concede, we obviously have much more chance to win the game. In pre-season we were upset, I think we conceded too much, but then as the season started, we have all the players back.”

The result leaves Arsenal with a perfect two wins from two in the Premier League as they look to defend their title across a congested fixture schedule.