There was a heist during the summer transfer window, orchestrated by sporting director Andrea Berta, which left the Arsenal executives wide-eyed.
While the headlines were dominated by the north London club’s £250million spending spree, Berta was quietly pulling off the steal of the summer: the £13m signing of Cristhian Mosquera from Valencia.
Both Berta and the board were ecstatic behind the scenes in July about their coup for a defender who had missed just three La Liga matches across two seasons, becoming one of Spain’s most dependable young centre backs. But Valencia made the mistake of letting him enter the final year of his contract.
That secret is now out. Mosquera’s arrival went under the radar, yet Arsenal have arguably landed the Premier League’s bargain of the season, his value destined to rocket in the months ahead.
Take the way Mosquera seamlessly slotted in when thrown in the deep end against reigning champions Liverpool two weeks ago, after William Saliba went down injured inside five minutes.
The 21-year-old held his own against one of Europe’s most dangerous frontlines and was comfortable on the ball. He won three tackles — only matched by Arsenal’s Mikel Merino — and completed 26 of his 28 attempted passes in the first half alone.
Cristhian Mosquera shone on his first start for Arsenal, in Saturday’s 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest
The Spain Under 21s centre back cost the club just £13million plus add-ons
The versatile defender, who can also play at right back, as he showed off the bench against Leeds, then proved it wasn’t beginner’s luck when he put in an assured display in helping his side keep a clean sheet against Nottingham Forest at the weekend.
Of Arsenal’s four league games this season, of which Mosquera has played three, per game he has made more tackles (3.6), recoveries (4) and had more duel success (81.8 per cent) than both Saliba and Gabriel.
When Daily Mail Sport asked Arteta after the 3-0 victory over Forest whether Mosquera will be pushing Gabriel and Saliba for a starting spot, the Spaniard couldn’t help but grin.
He replied: ‘You’ve just seen today and what he did at Anfield — he’s going to push them very, very hard. This kid wants it a lot, and he’s so willing to learn.
‘He’s got already some great qualities that fit very well in any position that we want to use him in, in relation to the connections and the qualities of the other defenders.’
Daily Mail Sport understands Berta pushed hard for the defender, having tracked him while working for Atletico Madrid. Berta told the board Mosquera was a must, and a player whose value would multiply in the future; he was right on the money.
It was always a safe bet, according to the numbers. Last season for Valencia, Mosquera won 70.7 per cent of his ground duels in the league, which was the highest success rate of any La Liga defender to contest more than 100 duels.
It illustrates just how significant this signing is for the Gunners, who arguably already had the meanest backline in the league with a plethora of options for each defensive position. As well as Gabriel and Saliba, Riccardo Calafiori, Ben White, Jurrien Timber and Piero Hincapie can all also play centre back.
Mosquera has made more tackles and recoveries per game than William Saliba and Gabriel in the Premier League this season
Mosquera was dropped in at the deep end at Anfield, having to come on for the injured Saliba in just the fifth minute
But Arsenal sources have told Daily Mail Sport they believe Mosquera could become one of the best defenders in the world. Playing ability aside, his jovial nature has gone down well with team-mates. He is said to be smiley and friendly around the training ground.
On the north London club’s pre-season tour of Asia, the Spaniard chose to dance instead of sing for his initiation and is said to have had everyone clapping as he bust out some ‘crazy’ moves.
He is 6ft 3in and of slim build with the strength to get stuck into duels but also the nimbleness to make recoveries, for which he has a knack. This trait allows Mikel Arteta’s men to push their defensive line higher up the pitch.
A source who has known Mosquera from his academy days at Valencia told Daily Mail Sport: ‘He’s physical like Gabriel, with the pace of Saliba. Some of the recoveries he’s been making show already how rapid he is. It was an obvious trait of his at Valencia.
‘He’s got a good reading of the game. He is a centre back by trade, but he has the pace to be a full back so is really versatile and very solid.
‘Mosquera’s a family guy from a cheerful Colombian family who are nice people. He’s a nice guy, especially off the pitch, but when he needs to get the man, he will leave a mark on you.’
Mosquera was born in Alicante to Colombian parents but represents Spain and has won 12 caps at Under-21 level. A senior call-up cannot be too far away if he continues to shine for the Gunners.
Crucially for Arsenal, they view Mosquera as having the quality and fitness to allow Saliba or Gabriel to have sufficient rest this season, which has not been possible in previous campaigns and has cost the club dear.
Gabriel missed 10 league games with injury last season, while it was Saliba’s back issue which derailed Arsenal’s title bid in 2022-23. An injury to either player should not be as damaging now — significant in a jam-packed schedule featuring eight Champions League matches in the league phase and both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup.
Arsenal view Mosquera as having the quality and fitness to allow Saliba or Gabriel to have sufficient rest this season, which has not been possible in previous campaigns
Mosquera was born in Alicante to Colombian parents but represents Spain and has won 12 caps at Under-21 level
He also fits into the mould of Arsenal’s defensive signings in the past few years, having played regular first-team football at a high level before being signed. Mosquera was a key starting figure at Valencia aged just 19.
It follows signings such as Ben White (started 36 of 38 Premier League matches for Brighton in the 2020-21 season), and Saliba (started 36 of 38 Ligue 1 matches for Marseille in the 2021-22 season).
Mosquera fits Arteta’s model, was bought for peanuts and is now forcing his way into the first-team conversation faster than anyone expected.
Saliba and Gabriel will be watching their backs, Mosquera is not here to make up the numbers.
