Arsenal summer signing says he knew he’d face fight for minutes

Cristhian Mosquera insists that even before he joined Arsenal, he was well aware of the challenge facing him competing with William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes.

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Cristhian Mosquera joined Arsenal this summer, and he’s probably played more games than many might have expected at this stage.

Just 10 matches into the club season, Mosquera has made eight appearances, including four starts. An early injury to William Saliba helped get the centre-back into the team, but he’s largely performed very well filling in.

It was always going to be difficult for any centre-back to come in and take the place of either Saliba or Gabriel Magalhaes, and Mosquera claims he was well aware of that.

Photo via Arsenal.com

“When I signed, I knew I was going to face them, two world-class stars, but the club’s idea was that we would have players competing for every position to go as far as possible,” Mosquera explained to AS.

“The Premier League is very different, but I’m loving it. I’m coping well with that direct style of play. Arteta always asks me after games how tired I am, but I’m feeling very good.

“I grew up with the La Liga style, but people always told me that my style of play suited me in the Premier League, and I think they were right.”

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As for Arsenal’s ambitions this season, Mosquera responded to a question about the Champions League by suggesting the Gunners would be aiming to win it.

“Yes, we’re planning to go all out,” Mosquera said. “We have a very good team, and we’re capable.”

Arsenal will be glad to have Mosquera as they compete for those major trophies, and he’s saying all the right things at the moment. There will be difficult moments along the way, but at just 21 years old he should get a regular starting opportunity if he keeps developing in the right way.