Arsenal have confirmed the signing of Valencia centre back Cristhian Mosquera on a long-term contract.
The 21-year-old adds further depth to an Arsenal backline that already boasts the likes of William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhães and Riccardo Calafiori among others, and will wear the number three shirt in north London.
“It means a lot to me. I’m joining a historic, massive club,” Mosquera told club channels. “When the coach and the sporting director show that belief in you, it really helped convince me to come here. When you arrive here with your family, you really feel the greatness of this place. I’m thrilled to be here.
“It’s true my career has moved faster than expected and I’ve had to mature fast. Coming here is a chance to keep learning and improving. I’ll be working with great players and a top-class coaching staff, so that will help me develop personally.
“I’m a player with a lot of energy. I’m young, so I still have plenty to give. I’m fully motivated and excited. Above all, I want to improve, which will create competition within the squad. I’m really happy.”
Mosquera, who made 82 La Liga appearances for Valencia after graduating from the club's academy, has joined his new teammates on their pre-season tour of Asia, and could play a part in Sunday's clash with Premier League rivals Newcastle United.
Arsenal supporters had inadvertently got a sneak peak of Mosquera's unveiling, after a photo of the player interviewing with the club was accidentally leaked online. The Spaniard joins Noni Madueke, Martin Zubimendi, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Christian Nørgaard in Arsenal's arrivals lounge, and he could soon be joined by Viktor Gyökeres as the Gunners look to conclude a deal with Sporting CP.
ANALYSIS
Cristhian Mosquera is a defensive depth signing with hopes of maturing into a long-term answer. He’ll struggle to unseat any of the starting backline given Arsenal’s defensive prowess over the past three campaigns, but that speaks more to the squad than him at this moment in time.
Arteta values versatility in his defenders given Jurrien Timber, Jakub Kiwior, Ben White and Calafiori can play multiple positions. Mosquera has minutes at right back, but the Spaniard likely serves as central cover and competition to Saliba and Kiwior respectively. Injuries to both Saliba and Gabriel have derailed title challenges under Arteta, so having another option available won’t hurt.
Of note is Kiwior’s future moving forward. The Poland international filled in at left back and centre back over the past two seasons, but his future has been questioned given uncertainty around consistent, first-team minutes. Unless there’s a major outgoing, Kiwior, like Mosquera, is second fiddle and depth.
If Mosquera impresses initially in opportunities that arise, Kiwior could fall down the pecking order. Kiwior is signed through 2027, so Arsenal will have to make a decision on his future by earliest next summer.
READ THE LATEST ARSENAL NEWS, TRANSFER RUMORS AND MORE
This article was originally published on www.si.com as ‘You Feel the Greatness’—Cristhian Mosquera Joins Arsenal, Shirt Number Confirmed.
