RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Cristhian Mosquera is "fine" after the Spanish defender was substituted during Arsenal's 1-0 victory at Aston Villa on Monday night.
The Arsenal manager chose not to risk the 22-year-old, introducing new signing Ezri Konsa late on, who faced jeers on his return to Villa Park.
"We knew that if we had an injury on the back line with Jurrien (Timber) out, we’d be in big trouble – so we had to do Ezri," Arteta explained post-match, after Bukayo Saka’s second-half goal secured two Premier League wins from two for the champions.
"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 as well.
"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, and that’s why we had to bring Ezri in.
Mikel Arteta explained that Mosquera was taken off as a precaution (Nick Potts/PA) (PA Wire)
"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."
Riccardo Calafiori noted that securing the outcome mattered more than the overall performance as the Gunners completed the job.
It proved far from a classic performance, with Arsenal scoring from their first effort on target shortly before the hour, yet they ground out a hard-fought victory.
"I’m so happy with the clean sheet, especially when I talk with the guys – the defenders – I always say that if we don’t concede, we obviously have much more chance to win the game, and I think we always do so well," the full-back said.
"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.
"In pre-season we were upset, I think we conceded too much, but then as the season started, we have all the players back.
Riccardo Calafiori set up Arsenal's winning goal (Getty)
"We fight, and you see how we do mistakes sometimes, but how we track back with the runs, it’s unbelievable, and each player, even the attackers, so I’m so happy."
Calafiori set up Saka’s deciding goal to record his second assist of the campaign.
"I’m just so happy to pass the ball to B [Saka]," the 24-year-old Italy international added.
"As I say, it was a tough, tough game, we need these kind of moments, you know, to change the game – and we did it."
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