'Versatile and impressive' Mosquera exciting Arsenal fans
- Published
Summer signing Cristhian Mosquera continues to impress for Arsenal and again showed against Athletic Club why there is so much excitement around his early performances.
The 21-year-old defender has played a key role during the Gunners' start to the season and has had a big impact since deputising for William Saliba.
Mosquera made his debut in Arsenal's first home game of the season coming on at right-back for Jurrien Timber.
He was signed for his quality and his ability to play in multiple positions in the backline, but it is his performances at centre-back which have made supporters and those around the club take notice of his potential.
Mosquera was thrust into Arsenal's match at Liverpool after just five minutes following Saliba's ankle injury. Even though the Gunners lost that game, Mosquera's performance was one of the positives.
He then started the 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest and again partnered Gabriel in the heart of the defence in Tuesday's Champions League victory in Bilbao.
Mikel Arteta said Mosquera is going to "push" both Gabriel and Saliba for their position throughout the season and that the Spain Under-21 international "wants it a lot".
Mosquera again displayed his ability on the ball and and stayed calm in the opening 20 minutes, when a vociferous atmosphere had Arsenal under pressure.
He is an extremely physical defender who relishes duels with strikers - something Arteta values highly.
He is also quick, which allows him to recover when facing counter-attacks. Moreover, his versatility means he will be in line for a lot of game time this season.
The squad depth Arsenal have built is going to a big asset as they try to win a trophy for the first time since 2020.
Mosquera being good enough to be able to play in these games so early in the campaign means Saliba's absence has not been felt as much as it might have been previously.
Arsenal host Manchester City on Sunday it is likely Saliba - who was fit enough for a place on the bench on Tuesday - will come in for Mosquera to deal with the challenge presented by Erling Halaand.
That is no slight on Mosquera, who has shown early on in his Arsenal career he has the potential to be a first-choice starting centre-back in years to come.