It wouldn’t be a transfer window without Mikel Arteta bringing a defender to Arsenal.
Though the focus of this window was to bolster Arsenal’s attack, predominantly with a striker, Arteta had to secure a defensive signing.
Arsenal signed Cristhian Mosquera from Valencia to bolster their ranks at the back, seeing the 21-year-old centre-back arrive after an impressive season in La Liga.
Andrea Berta worked exceptionally well to strike a deal for Mosquera, whom Valencia desperately wanted to keep, but ultimately, the player’s mind was made up.
Arsenal have a strong feeling about Cristhian Mosquera
It was only Arsenal for Mosquera, who joined up with the squad on the pre-season tour of Asia, making his debut with a brief cameo against Tottenham.
The Spaniard arrives as an exciting acquisition in central defence, but to outsiders, his position is merely considered as back-up to Arteta’s favoured pair at the back.
William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes’ partnership is not going to be disrupted anytime soon…or so we thought.
Speaking to talkSPORT, journalist Ben Jacobs revealed what Arsenal are already feeling about Mosquera, admitting that the Spaniard could have more game time this season than anticipated.
“I’m actually told with Mosquera, the feeling within Arsenal is that he’s Premier League ready right away, and people are going to be surprised this season at how quickly he integrates and maybe even just how many minutes he gets.”
Jacobs was speaking in relation to Arsenal’s transfer links to Jeremy Jacquet, a young centre-back who is a target of Arteta and Berta’s.
Jacquet actually rejected Arsenal in favour of developing his game at Stade Rennais, but, with Mosquera on board, the Gunners will be satisfied.
Mosquera is exactly what Arsenal needed
Jacobs’ revelation about the internal feeling Arsenal have about Mosquera is incredibly exciting.
Last season, the Gunners’ bid to win silverware was derailed by injuries, caused by a lack of quality in the squad’s depth.
Though Jakub Kiwior stepped up to cover very well for Gabriel’s hamstring injury, it’s clear that the Poland international is not close to being considered a starter for Arsenal or a natural successor to either of the pair.
Being four years Kiwior’s junior, Mosquera could be the eventual successor to Arsenal’s formidable partnership and, by Jacobs’ understanding, could even test the duo for minutes.
Arteta needed the gap between Arsenal’s first and second choice squads to be far closer last season, something Berta is resolving this summer.
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