Mikel Arteta confirms injury blow after Aston Villa loss

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that defender Cristhian Mosquera will be sidelined for weeks after an ankle injury sustained against Brentford on Wednesday evening.

The Spaniard suffered the setback during the opening half against the Bees in midweek and he is now sidelined until the New Year at least.

Speaking after the 2-1 loss to Aston Villa, Arteta confirmed the disappointing news on the centre-back, he said: "He's going to be out for weeks.

"Unfortunately, it's much more than what we expected. But the player was feeling it, so he's going to be out for weeks."

Arsenal were without three centre-backs in William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and Mosquera for the league defeat to the Villans.

Piero Hincapie had a new partner in Jurrien Timber in the heart of the defence, and the duo fared well over the course of 90 minutes.

Saliba is close to returning to action for the Gunners, but the pair are likely to keep their places for Wednesday's trip to Club Brugge in Europe.