Cristhian Mosquera says he never hesitated to join Arsenal after hearing from Mikel Arteta, revealing that the manager’s vision and personal approach were key to his £13m move from Valencia. The 21-year-old defender has already impressed despite the presence of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes, proving a smart addition to the Gunners’ long-term defensive plans.
Arteta’s personal touch sealed Mosquera’s move
Arsenal’s £13 million summer signing Cristhian Mosquera has revealed that Mikel Arteta’s personal intervention convinced him to choose north London — even with William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes standing in his way.
The 21-year-old centre-back joined from Valencia in August to strengthen Arsenal’s defensive depth. Despite fierce competition, Mosquera has already featured eight times this season, including in Premier League clashes with Liverpool and Newcastle United, quickly winning over teammates and supporters alike.
Speaking to AS, the Spaniard said:
I feel great at the club and in the city. From the first moment Arteta spoke to me, I had no doubts about going to Arsenal. There’s an incredible group of players. When I signed, I knew I was going to face [Saliba and Gabriel], two world-class stars, but that was the club’s idea: to have players competing for every position to go as far as possible.
Bargain buy already repaying Arteta’s faith
At just £13 million, Mosquera’s arrival is being hailed as one of the bargains of the summer. When Saliba missed Arsenal’s match against Liverpool, Arteta turned to Mosquera — and the youngster repaid that faith with a calm, disciplined performance that earned praise from his manager.
“Thank God we had Mosquera,” Arteta said afterward, impressed by his composure and tactical intelligence.
According to Sky Sports, the Spaniard has been meticulous in training, staying late after sessions to study positioning and tactical patterns with Arteta’s staff. Coaches have highlighted his maturity, professionalism, and humility, qualities that have made him an immediate fit in Arsenal’s tightly-run setup at London Colney.
Those who worked with Mosquera at Valencia describe him as a “quiet leader” — a player who leads by example and thrives on self-improvement. He was one of Europe’s most experienced under-21 defenders last season, playing more minutes than any other U21 defender in the top five leagues.
Fitting seamlessly into Arsenal’s style
Mosquera’s composure on the ball, reading of the game, and aerial ability have made him a natural fit for Arsenal’s build-from-the-back philosophy. His understanding of pressing triggers and defensive transitions has impressed Arteta, who demands intelligence and precision from his centre-backs.
The defender has also benefited from a Spanish-speaking core within the squad — including David Raya, Jorginho, and Martin Ødegaard, who have helped his adaptation on and off the pitch.
Patience and potential in equal measure
For now, Mosquera’s main challenge remains breaking into a starting role ahead of Arsenal’s trusted pairing of Saliba and Gabriel. But with the Gunners competing in multiple competitions, Arteta is expected to rotate heavily, offering more opportunities for the young defender to showcase his ability.
Arsenal view Mosquera as a long-term successor to either Saliba or Gabriel — a player capable of leading the defence for years to come. At just 21, his growth trajectory and work ethic suggest that Arteta’s faith was well placed.
If his early performances are any indication, Cristhian Mosquera could soon be another name in the long line of Arteta success stories — one built on trust, talent, and a belief that competition drives greatness.
