Arteta hits out at schedule after Rice, Mosquera forced off deepening Arsenal's injury woes

Dec 4 : Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has criticised the club's Premier League schedule after midfielder Declan Rice and centre-back Cristhian Mosquera became the latest players to pick up injuries during Wednesday's 2-0 home win over Brentford.

The North London club are already without first-choice centre-backs William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes, as well as forwards Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard.

Mosquera limped off just minutes before half-time with what Arteta said was either a knee or ankle issue, while England international Rice was substituted in the 83rd minute because of a calf problem.

"Obviously it's never good news. Declan had to come off. We have to see tomorrow what he's got," Arteta told reporters.

"Mosquera is the other one that is out. Obviously we have big Gabi (Gabriel) and Willy (Saliba) out as well. So we have to adapt. It's been a theme of this season.

"(Rice) could not carry on playing, so we have to wait and see tomorrow what happens ... he can walk but he cannot play."

Arsenal next visit high-flying Aston Villa on Saturday before taking a trip to Belgian side Club Brugge in the Champions League on December 10.

Arsenal, who top the Champions League standings, regained their five-point lead at the top of the Premier League thanks to Mikel Merino's early goal and a late one from substitute Bukayo Saka against Brentford.

"Now we play Wednesday night and we have to play Saturday morning as well," Arteta said. "So we can play minutes, but if they can please give us just a little bit more time to recover and to make the well-being of these players a little bit easier, that would be great...

"Give us another day, especially the teams that are playing so much in Europe. To everybody in general, I think we can