Arsenal are pushing to sign Cristhian Mosquera from Valencia this summer to bolster Mikel Arteta’s defensive depth.
Very few would’ve expected Andrea Berta to arrive at Arsenal and get the summer transfer window underway with defensive signings.
Holding midfielder Martin Zubimendi is on his way to Arsenal from Real Sociedad, as is Brentford captain Christian Norgaard.
Just like last summer, another goalkeeper signing is expected as the Gunners have struck a bargain deal to sign Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea.
There’s very much a feel of the defence-minded arrivals representing the support acts before the headliner, which is anticipated to be a new striker and winger.
First, Berta will equip Arteta’s squad with additional depth, with another centre-back on the radar to offer the Arsenal manager more options.
How Cristhian Mosquera outperformed William Saliba and Gabriel
Arsenal have approached Valencia to sign Mosquera this summer, with the Spanish club holding out for a fee in the region of €20m (£17m).
The Spanish centre-back impressed in La Liga last season, forcing his way onto Arteta and Berta’s transfer wishlist with his talent.
Still only 21, there’s a lot of room for the Valencia ace to grow, but the target already has greater heights on his mind.
It’s understood that Mosquera will compete with William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes, who, despite being untouchable, need competition like every player in the Arsenal squad.
Some will think that the 2004-born star is aiming too high ahead of his proposed transfer, but there’s already evidence to suggest that Mosquera is capable of challenging the Arsenal stars.
| Statistic | Mosquera | Gabriel | Saliba |
| % of dribblers tackled | 77.5% | 72.7% | 71.8% |
One of the greatest attributes that Gabriel and Saliba possess is how difficult they are to get past, which is a trait shared by Mosquera.
Fascinatingly, the young Spaniard actually outperformed the Arsenal duo in a relevant metric, as highlighted by FBref.
Based on per 90 data collected over the past 365 days in Europe’s top five leagues, Mosquera ranks in the top 7% of centre-backs for his average of dribblers tackled.
The Arsenal target averages a percentage of 77.5 when it comes to dribblers tackled per 90, exceeding the average of Gabriel and Saliba, who total 72.7% and 71.8% respectively.
Defensive competition needed at Arsenal
Though attacking signings are what Arsenal fans want to see, the Gunners are sensible to scour the market for top defensive talent.
Last season, Gabriel required surgery to solve a hamstring injury, leaving Saliba to fend for himself, calling Jakub Kiwior into action.
Kiwior could leave Arsenal, which emphasises the need for Berta to replenish at the back.
Mosquera will not just arrive to fill a void on the bench, but also to push both Saliba and Gabriel, who will welcome competition amid carrying the weight of Arsenal’s defensive stability on their shoulders.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
