Martin Keown has singled out one player who deserves enormous credit despite Arsenal’s heartbreaking Champions League final defeat.
Speaking on TNT Sports after the game, the former Arsenal defender was keen to highlight the performance of Cristhian Mosquera, who was handed the unenviable task of keeping Khvicha Kvaratskhelia quiet at right-back.
And let’s not forget, the 21-year-old centre-half was filling in at a position he does not naturally play in.
“I want to have a word on Mosquera, how well he played in this game,” Keown said. “The only mistake he made was for the penalty.
“Kvaratskhelia is the best player on the planet, he’s a central defender and he was asked to play full-back.”
You’re the ref: How do you deal with Cristhian Mosquera vs PSG?
Penalty? no penalty? Red card? No red card?
Despite making a late return to the squad, Jurrien Timber was not quite fit enough to start, leaving Arteta with limited options at right-back.
Mosquera stepped in and, for the most part, handled one of the most difficult assignments in world football with remarkable composure.
Just before he was about to be subbed off, a lapse in concentration led to the penalty, but to judge him solely on that would be deeply unfair.
He didn’t wilt under the pressure and until that one costly moment kept Kvaratskhelia largely in check.
On another night, his performance is celebrated as one of the stories of the final. But it just wasn’t meant to be Arsenal’s night.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
