A Cristhian Mosquera injury is the last thing Mikel Arteta wanted

Cristhian Mosquera was forced off with injury during Arsenal's 2-0 win over Brentford and that really is the last thing Mikel Arteta would have wanted.

The Spaniard suffered a knock just before half-time and had to be replaced by Jurrien Timber, bringing a premature end to what was looking to be another good performance in defence.

He joins William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes on the defensive injury list and his fitness issue has now left Arteta with less options at the back than he would have expected.

A Cristhian Mosquera injury is the last thing Mikel Arteta wanted

Mosquera was brought in during the summer transfer window to provide first-choice centre backs Saliba and Gabriel with much-needed cover and he had been doing a great job of doing that so far this season.

After replacing his French counterpart in the early stages of a 1-0 defeat at Liverpool, he enjoyed a good run in the side that proved he has the ability to come in when needed. He had to do so once again for Arsenal's trip to Stamford Bridge when he stood in for Saliba after he was ruled out just hours before the London derby clash.

As he started in the backline for the third consecutive game, he and defensive partner Piero Hincapié had another great chance to demonstrate themselves as one of the league's best back-up pairings, but his first-half injury prevented them from doing so.

He now joins Saliba and Gabriel on the sideline, leaving Arteta in a sticky situation. His early substitution against Brentford meant Jurrien Timber (the only other suitable option for the role) had to be introduced, wiping out his chance of having a much-needed rest.

Mosquera's injury now means his manager has just five fit defensive options. Riccardo Calafiori, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Piero Hincapié are all better equipped to play on the left side, leaving White and Timber as the only viable options to fill in on the right side of the centre back pair.

While both are more than capable of doing so, they are far more suited to playing in the right back position, having done so for a number of years in north London, meaning whoever provides cover may face a big knock to their game.

In just a matter of weeks, Arsenal's defensive depth has gone from being by far the best in the league to one that's struggling to even offer one player a rest. Arteta now has some big decisions to make over who he brings in to provide cover, but some of his players now face the risk of being overplayed and suffering injury.

The list just keeps growing and growing for the Gunners.