Arsenal were impressed with the speed of one of their new signings this summer when they scouted him.
Andrea Berta spent £250 million on eight new players, as the Italian looked to provide Mikel Arteta with the tools required to compete on multiple fronts.
Viktor Gyokeres was acquired for £63 million as the marquee addition, while Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke and Martin Zubimendi were also brought in for significant fees.
However, one of the cheaper signings has arguably made the biggest impact thus far in North London.
Arsenal were attracted to Cristhian Mosquera’s pace before signing him
Gyokeres was renowned for his pace when he was at Sporting.
The Swede regularly tore away from opposition defenders before slotting the ball beyond the goalkeeper, and this attribute most certainly would’ve made him appealing to Arsenal.
However, it’s another one of Berta’s additions who supposedly attracted the Gunners because of his speed, as well as his versatility.
According to the Standard, Arsenal’s recruitment team liked Cristhian Mosquera for his ability to run quickly.
Mosquera has been excellent thus far in a red and white shirt, with many claiming he’s one of the bargains of the window at £13 million.
Those at Arsenal in charge of sourcing talent to pursue in the market identified the Spaniard’s athleticism and pace as one of his most encouraging attributes.
They’ve also been impressed by this when witnessing his galloping runs up close, since he’s been at the Sohba Realty training ground.
Cristhian Mosquera could play at right-back for Arsenal very soon
As well as his speed, Arsenal liked Mosquera because of his ability to play across the back line.
The Standard reports that this versatility was a key facet that they admired in the player’s repertoire, as the North London club were aware that they’d need a third right-back option behind Ben White and Jurrien Timber.
Mosquera has already played at right-back for the Gunners, replacing Timber in the final 25 minutes of Arteta’s side’s home game against Leeds in August in this role.
He could be set to play more in this position in the coming weeks. While William Saliba is likely to replace the 21-year-old against Manchester City this weekend, the Gunners then travel to Port Vale in the League Cup a few days later.
White is still recovering from an injury, and if the England international isn’t fit to feature against the League One side, then Mosquera could get the call to play as a full-back, with Timber in dire need of a rest.
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