Mikel Arteta told exactly why ‘exceptional’ £15m signing will help solve a major problem at Arsenal

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Mikel Arteta will be hoping for better fortune when it comes to players staying fit and available next season.

Arsenal’s season was plagued by a number of long-term casualties which played a major part in derailing their Premier League title bid.

Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz both tore their hamstrings, requiring surgery and left a huge hole in attack that the Gunners were simply unable to recover from.

Andrea Berta is doing his best this summer to provide more depth to Arteta’s squad in order to cope with absentees and one potential signing has already proven he has the durability to be among the best.

READ MORE: Arsenal fans are all saying the same thing about Liverpool’s transfer pursuit of Mikel Arteta’s ‘dream’ signing

Cristhian Mosquera’s injury record is an encouraging sign for Mikel Arteta ahead of Arsenal transfer

As per Caught Offside, journalist Charles Watts has been giving his verdict on the imminent arrival of Cristhian Mosquera to North London.

Mosquera confirmed his Valencia departure and is currently undergoing a medical with Arsenal ahead of a £15m deal.

The Spanish defender has been praised for his versatility and athleticism but has also played the highest amount of minutes for players under the age of 21 in the top five leagues since 2023.

Watts stated: “I’m really excited about this deal I have to say. First of all, it looks like a very good one money wise. Again, it looks to have been masterfully negotiated by Andrea Berta.

“Arsenal are paying less than Mosquera’s release clause, with the initial fee for the 21-year-old set to come in under £15m. That’s a very good price for a highly-rated young defender who was being looked at by several other good sides across Europe.

“But it’s not just the price that excites me about Mosquera, it’s the potential. He’s a right-footed centre-back, but is very comfortable with either foot, so there is versatility there which is an attribute Mikel Arteta looks for in all his players.

“He’s big, athletic and good on the ball. He’s durable as well, as his availability record shows over the past two seasons.”

Cristhian Mosquera will raise the level of William Saliba

Mosquera will be under no illusions that he will need time to adapt to English football and has two of the best centre backs in world football ahead of him in William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes.

Arteta thinks Mosquera can compete with Saliba and the French international should see the 21-year-old’s arrival as a positive.

Saliba made a number of sloppy errors towards the end of last season, including a howler at the Bernabeu in the Champions League quarter final.

Having Mosquera pushing him for his place will keep his mind focussed and eradicate any complacency that can creep into his game.

It will also allow Arteta to rotate Saliba out of the side when he becomes fatigued, a luxury that the Gunners boss hasn’t really had in previous seasons.