Mikel Arteta makes 'complicated' injury claim and offers Arsenal update on William Saliba

Arsenal face Aston Villa in the Premier League this weekend with Mikel Arteta providing injury updates on his players

Mikel Arteta has admitted that Cristhian Mosquera's ankle injury is "complicated" and requires another scan after he was forced off against Brentford. The Gunners face Aston Villa this weekend with it looking highly unlikely that Mosquera will be involved.

The Arsenal boss said on his summer signing: "That's the one that is more complicated. We have another scan to do today." When asked if the injury to Mosquera was serious, he said: "No, we need to know because the feeling we had after the game, we need to corroborate with the situation we felt after the game."

On more general injury problems, which includes Declan Rice after his withdrawal mid-week, he said: "Well, let's see, we have another training session in the afternoon." Asked specifically about returns for Saliba and Trossard, he replied: "A matter of days, yes."

The latter picked up an injury during the 3-1 Champions League win over Bayern Munich while Saliba, who was omitted from the squad to face Chelsea last weekend to the surprise of many, suffering his problem in training.

Gabriel Magalhaes is also unavailable because of a groin issue with a return for the Brazil international not expected until late December at the earliest.

Fitness problems have been a problem for the Gunners all season with their squad undoubtedly set to be tested over the busy Christmas period. Piero Hincapie looks set to be the only fit centre-back available to Arteta for the trip to Villa Park.

Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori, who have been Arsenal's first-choice full-backs, can both play there however, with the former replacing Mosquera in that role against Brentford. Rice can also play in the centre of defence but there are doubts over his status.

One positive is that the Gunners way less attacking injuries with Viktor Gyokeres, Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Odegaard and Noni Madueke as recent returners.

Gabriel Jesus is also closing in on a long-awaited return from a serious knee injury suffered back in January with Arteta confirming he has participated in a behind-closed-doors friendly.

A third consecutive matchday squad appearance looks likely for Jesus given Arsenal's injury problems with Villa looking to continue their superb form as of late.

The chaotic 4-3 victory over Brighton on Wednesday was their sixth consecutive victory with Unai Emery's side having lost just two of their last 15 games in all competitions.

Unsurprisingly, Arteta is firmly aware of the challenge that awaits his side on Saturday lunchtime.

He said: "For what they've been doing, the way they've been playing. We know the manager and the incredible job that he has done."