'Same DNA as Saliba and Gabriel' – How ‘amazing’ Champions League debut points to 'bright future' for Cristhian Mosquera at Arsenal

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Arsenal opened their UEFA Champions League account with a hard-fought 2-0 win over Athletic Club in Bilbao with, once again, a strong defensive display providing the platform for victory. The Gunners were still without star defender William Saliba, allowing summer signing Cristhian Mosquera to step in, and the 21-year-old Spaniard proved a more than able deputy.

Mosquera has 'same DNA' as Saliba, says Keown - 'There's a lot more to come'

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The feelings amongst those associated with Arsenal when William Saliba limped off in the early moments of The Gunners’ Premier League clash with Liverpool would have ranged from serious concern to outright panic.

The Frenchman, alongside partner Gabriel, has been the main reason Arsenal's defensive capabilities look so strong these days.

Despite missing out on the title both times, Arsenal have boasted the best defence, in terms of conceding the fewest goals, in the past two Premier League seasons.

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In reaching the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League last year, they conceded just 10 goals – a figure only bettered by Liverpool (six) and Bologna (nine), with the former exiting at the round-of-16 stage and the former bowing out in the league phase.

However, Saliba’s hamstring injury initially suggested that achieving similar numbers this time around may not be as simple.

Step forward Cristhian Mosquera, with the £13 million summer signing from Valencia stepping in to replace Saliba for the majority of the game at Anfield, the next game against Nottingham Forest and the opening match of this term's Champions League away at Athletic Club.

The 21-year-old has impressed so far, with the only goal conceded on his watch being Dominik Szoboszlai’s incredible 35-yard free kick – something Mosquera, nor any of his fellow Arsenal defenders could really be at fault for.

"He’s in the same DNA as Saliba and Gabriel," said ex-Arsenal defender Martin Keown on TNT Sports following the 2-0 win in Bilbao.

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"This fella is mobile, quick, strong. There’s a lot more to come and he’s put in some really good performances."

As per Opta, Mosquera’s impressive display in the heated atmosphere at San Mames saw him attempt 79 passes, of which he completed 75 - the most of any defender across all six games in the competition on the night.

He also contested eight and won five aerial duels – again not just the most of any defender in his game, but over all Champions League games on the opening evening.

In terms of duels overall, he contested 13, the most in the match, winning seven of them, which was only bettered by team-mate Riccardo Calafiori (nine).

His six clearances were only bettered by central defensive partner Gabriel on 10, and Athletic’s Dani Vivian on seven.

UCL 2025/26 MD1 (Tuesday, Sep. 16)	Cristhian Mosquera	Defenders Rank
Aerial Duels	8	1
Aerial Duels Won	5	1
Duels	13	4
Duels Won	7	8=
Clearances	6	10=
Passes	79	1=
Passes Successful	75	1

"He does amazing. He’s still so young," said fellow Gunner Jurrien Timber after the game.

"The way he comes in, it looks so easy for him, winning his duels and on the ball as well. It’s great to have him next to me, and he has a bright future as well."

‘Looks so easy for him’ – Timber in awe of ‘amazing’ Mosquera

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Mosquera joins what is an already-formidable backline, moving to prospective Premier League and Champions League challengers from a Valencia team more concerned with the threat of relegation last season.

That said, his statistics last season were not dramatically far off the centre-backs he will play alongside - and perhaps even look to displace, long term.

Although he trailed Saliba and Gabriel in duels won and a number of other metrics understandably, he did beat the pair in interceptions and recoveries, as well as the player he nominally was brought in to replace in Jakob Kiwior.

All Competitions 2024/25 - Per 90 minutes

	Cristhian Mosquera	William Saliba	Gabriel	Jakub Kiwior
Appearances	41	51	42	30
Minutes	3615	4466	3500	2155
Aerial Duels	2.44	2.94	3.60	2.21
Aerial Duels Won	1.10	1.85	2.34	1.34
Duels	5.78	6.81	6.20	5.60
Duels Won	3.46	4.23	3.99	3.42
Clearances	3.31	3.61	3.29	3.30
Passes	54.1	71.7	62.9	57.9
Successful Passes	49.4	67.2	56.9	52.8
Interceptions	0.95	0.67	0.59	0.46
Tackles	1.52	1.63	0.80	1.63
Recoveries	5.25	4.41	2.60	2.55

It is very early days in Mosquera’s Arsenal career but signs look positive that the club has captured a decent player as back up to either of the first-choice defenders when needed.

Asked about his new player after the win in the Basque Country on Tuesday, Arteta was pleased with how Mosquera has performed, highlighting the attitude that seems prevalent in his side.

"The level of commitment and love for defending the boys have put in, it’s spectacular," he told TNT Sports at full time.

"They have the understanding and hopefully we can build from that because that helps you win a lot of games."

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