Arsenal defender Cristhian Mosquera has had an eventful start to life in the Premier League.
After being signed from Valencia, the 21-year-old was called into action to play a significant part in Arsenal’s season earlier than perhaps anticipated.
All eyes were on the Spaniard on matchday three of the Premier League season, as the defender replaced William Saliba after he was substituted after four minutes due to injury at Anfield.
Despite being thrown in at the deep end, Mosquera impressed tremendously against Liverpool, proving exactly why Mikel Arteta is already placing so much trust in him.
Cristhian Mosquera is already really impressed with Mikel Arteta
Mosquera might get more game time due to Saliba’s injury, with the Frenchman set for weeks on the sidelines after hurting his ankle in the warm-up at Anfield.
It’s rare that, after arriving at a club of Arsenal’s stature, a 21-year-old is so firmly trusted at the highest level.
Arteta has been impressed by Mosquera, and vice versa, as the defender revealed when speaking to ABC on international duty.
“He’s a great coach,” Mosquera said of the Arsenal manager before revealing what’s impressed him most about his new coach.
“What I like most about him is his attention to detail. That gives him a plus.”
Arteta’s attention to detail isn’t the only thing that’s already blown Mosquera away, as he revealed that, even before signing for Arsenal, he was won over by the boss.
“I was really impressed by the conversation I had with him before arriving at Arsenal,” the defender said.
“That’s why I’m joining one of the best defences in the world. To learn, improve, and earn my place.”
If there’s one thing Mosquera isn’t afraid of, it’s competing for game time against two of the best in the world, with Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes arguably the hardest partnership to unsettle.
Mosquera has a big decision to make
The Spaniard knows what he’s capable of, making the difficult decision to leave his boyhood club in the summer to sign for Arsenal.
Mosquera found it difficult to leave Valencia, but his decision isn’t the only tough choice the defender might have to make in his career.
Being captain of Spain U21, Mosquera is appreciated at international level; however, he’s yet to make up his mind between representing Spain or Colombia at senior level.
Amid talk that he could receive a call-up to the Colombian senior team, the Arsenal man insisted that he’s remaining ‘calm’.
“I’m calm about that. The truth is, right now I’m with the U21s; I’m happy here. And in the end, what I’m telling you is, work for opportunities, for doors to open, and keep working at my club, and everything will come.”
Arteta will be so impressed by the mentality that the 21-year-old possesses at such a young age, with his £13m transfer already looking like a real bargain for Arsenal.
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