Arsenal are preparing for a historic end to the 2025-26 campaign as their quest for an unprecedented quadruple intensifies.
Mikel Arteta’s side topped the UEFA Champions League group phase and are four points clear at the top of the Premier League table, while they are also alive in the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup.
Unsurprisingly, some of their biggest names like Declan Rice, William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes have taken centre stage, while new signing Martin Zubimendi has made a big impression after his move from Real Sociedad in the summer.
However, in recent weeks, Cristhian Mosquera’s growing influence within the squad has been on display as he continues to garner praise from the wider footballing fraternity for his performances.
Mosquera growing in stature for Arsenal
The summer of 2025 was an eventful one for the Gunners as Eberechi Eze, Viktor Gyokeres, Piero Hincapie, Noni Madueke and Zubimendi all sealed headline moves to North London.
Amidst all the transfer madness, Mosquera’s arrival from Valencia – for a meagre fee believed to be in the region of £13m – went under the radar as he was brought in as defensive cover for William Saliba and Gabriel.
He was initially used to see off games as a second-half substitute, but as the season went on, the towering defender continued to grow in stature to stake his claim for a starting spot.
With Saliba missing the game against Brentford due to illness, Mosquera got his chance at the heart of the backline alongside Gabriel.
And while it looked like his big moment could draw to an anti-climactic finish as his late slip-up led to Igor Tudor running through on goal, he showed his class with a fantastic last-ditch challenge to give Arsenal a hard-fought point away from home.
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A few days later, the 21-year-old was handed another start in the 4-0 win against Wigan Athletic, this time with Saliba as his partner.
The result? A resounding cup success and a clean sheet, with the Spaniard delivering another sensational display at the back to remain unbeaten as an Arsenal starter.
In addition to his defensive solidity, Mosquera also showed his leadership qualities despite being a youngster himself.
When Arteta introduced 16-year-old Marli Ellis Salmon as a second-half substitute for his home debut, the Spaniard mentored the youngster through the game, which highlights his natural flair to be a leader.
Numbers behind Mosquera’s season
Arsenal boast an embarrassment of riches at the back; naturally, Mosquera still sits behind Gabriel and Saliba in the center-back pecking order.
However, he is a stylistic clone of Arsenal’s first-choice rearguard, which allows Arteta to rotate his squad without experiencing a drop-off in quality.
He has completed 96% of his passes in the Champions League and hit a top speed of 32.46 km/h, stats that go to show he isn’t just a rock at the back who stifles opposition attackers.
The Gunners are competing on all fronts and need every last member of their squad to be on their toes to reach the promised land.
And judging by how Mosquera has fared in recent weeks, he will undoubtedly play a big role in the coming weeks, be it as a substitute or a starter.
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His arrival barely raised an eyebrow at the start of the season, as a handful of high-profile players joined an already strong Arsenal squad.
Six months later, Mosquera has quickly endeared himself to the Gunners faithful as a player for the present and the future.
The £13m transfer fee paid to Valencia is looking increasingly like one of the steals of the summer as the Spaniard continues to establish himself as Arsenal’s defensive X-factor.
