Mikel Arteta confirms long lay-offs for Saliba and Gabriel

Mikel Arteta has delivered a worrying update on William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes, warning that the defence of Arsenal FC will have to cope without the pair “for a period of time.”

Injury Blow: Saliba, Gabriel Out — Arteta Admits Defence Crisis at Arsenal

The absence of both central defenders was sorely felt in Saturday’s dramatic 2–1 loss at Aston Villa FC, where a last-gasp strike by Emiliano Buendia shattered the Gunners’ hopes at Villa Park.

Saliba and Gabriel sat out the match, still recovering from separate injuries.

Saliba has missed the last three fixtures after picking up a knock in training ahead of the trip to Chelsea, while Gabriel has not featured since suffering a thigh problem during the November international window.

With those two sidelined and with another young centre-back, Cristhian Mosquera, also unavailable after an ankle injury Arteta was forced to field a makeshift back-line.

The manager pressed his players to adapt despite the mounting problems, acknowledging:

“It is what it is. I think we have to cope with that … we’re going to have to cope with that for a period of time as well.”

The result at Villa Park proved costly far beyond the immediate loss of three points.

With their defensive resources so depleted, Arsenal looked vulnerable: the replacement pairing flanked by Piero Hincapie and Jurrien Timber alongside Riccardo Calafiori and Ben White were unable to prevent Buendía’s stoppage-time winner.

The blow comes at a delicate moment. With their lead at the top of the league cut to just two points, and a hectic schedule looming including a midweek trip to Belgium for a Champions League clash the squad’s defensive fragility could become decisive.

Arteta also confirmed that Mosquera’s injury is more serious than initially feared and will likely sideline him for several weeks.

Arsenal now face the challenge of weathering this tough spell without two of their defensive keystones.

If Saliba and Gabriel do not return soon, Arteta’s side may find their title ambitions hanging by a thread unless others step up to fill their absence.