Mikel Arteta says Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest came too soon for William Saliba as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury.
Saliba only returned to training on Friday, having pulled out of international duty with France.
Arteta admitted the centre-half came to him to say he wouldn’t be ready to play against Forest.
The Gunners boss explained: "He trained yesterday, and he did the whole session, and he was OK. I spoke to him afterwards, and he said ‘I think I need a few more days’. The turnaround has been too quick for the extent of the injury.
“When a player says that, don't push it, and I think Mosquera was very, very good.
Arteta hopes to be able to welcome back Saliba ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League tie against Athletic Club on Tuesday, but says Cristhian Mosquera will push the Frenchman for minutes after an impressive start to his Arsenal career.
The 21-year-old stepped up in Saliba’s absence against Forest and produced an assured display as Arsenal secured their third clean sheet in four games.
“You've just seen today and what he did in Anfield, very, very hard, he's going to push them, and this kid wants it a lot, and he's so willing to learn.
“He's got already some great qualities that fit very well any position that we want to use him in relation to the connections and the qualities of the other defenders. So, we'll see.”
Arsenal are looking to challenge on four fronts again this season, and much of their summer business, which included the £13million addition of Mosquera, was geared towards ensuring the Gunners added depth to a squad that has previously struggled to contend with injuries.
Their performance against Forest, as much as underlining their title credentials, served to showcase the strength in depth Arsenal now have as they coasted to victory without arguably their two most important players in Saliba and Bukayo Saka.
