Arteta Welcomes Mosquera Boost as Arsenal Shapes Up Squad in Singapore

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Just a day after Arsenal confirmed the signing of Spain Under-21 international Cristhian Mosquera, 12,000 lucky fans got a chance to see him in action during the team’s open training session at the National Stadium on Friday (July 25).

Some lucky fans were able to get selfies & autographs after the Arsenal’s open training at the National Stadium – Photo: Lynse Sng (Grandstand)

Mosquera made a later entrance onto the pitch than his new teammates, but that didn’t stop the fans from giving thunderous applause to their latest defensive recruit, who swapped Valencia CF for the Londoners.

“(He will) raise the level, raise the competition. And last season, again, we learned that with the depth that we had in the squad and the numbers in the back line, it wasn’t enough. And Cristhian is going to help us a lot in that,” head coach Mikel Arteta said of his squad’s fifth summer addition.

The club’s third Spanish signing of the summer, alongside goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga and midfielder Martin Zubimendi, Cristhian was spotted together with the pair and David Raya window-shopping at Marina Bay Sands just a day earlier.

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But unlike the luxury goods on display, the 21-year-old defender, who was signed for around €15 million plus add-ons, will hope to bring real value.

With a strong track record in both tackling and progressive carries for both club and country, Mosquera arrives with pedigree and promise.

“He has different qualities than what we have in the back line. He’s going to add a huge amount of hunger because he’s so willing to compete and contribute to the team. And we have to give him a little bit of time to take the ideas and to adapt here, but he’s got great qualities,” Arteta said.

A standout since being named in The Guardian’s list of the top 60 young talents in world football back in 2021, and fresh off an Olympic gold medal last year, Mosquera’s speedy acquisition in time for pre-season was a delight to Arteta.

Arsenal preparing for their second game in Singapore against fellow premier league side Newcastle on Sunday (27 July) – Photo: Lynse Sng (Grandstand)

“I’m very happy to have him. He’s a player we’ve been monitoring for a long, long time, and he’s decided to join us. We’re very, very happy to have him already with us.”

One such player who has benefited from an early introduction to the team is seasoned midfield anchor Christian Norgaard, who said he felt “welcomed” by the squad since he joined on July 10.

“So I’ve been able to be with the team from day one in pre-season. I think it’s made a big difference with how much further down the line I am now in terms of integration and understanding the play, compared to if I had joined, let’s say, now. So it’s been fantastic so far, especially with the group of staff and the whole team around. It’s made everything very easy,” the 31-year-old said.

But Nørgaard is well aware of the challenge of securing a place on the team.

“I am realistic. I know this is a step up in terms of quality and the size of the club. But I’m here to contribute, of course. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have made the move. I also know there are some of the best players in the world in my position here, so it’ll be competitive.”

But the former Brentford captain is equally cognisant of how else he can contribute to the team.

“There are the things you see on the pitch at the weekend, but there’s a lot more going on around the football team. I hope I can really help this team both on and off the pitch.

“It’s about being available, about being fit. I’m used to playing around 30 games, plus a couple of cup matches. Here, it could be close to 60 games, maybe more. So you need a full squad, and for me, it’s about staying ready. I know my chances will come, and when they do, I’ll take them.”

And with transfer chatter about the impending acquisition of Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres hotting up, and speculations swirling of a potential flight to Singapore, Arteta remained characteristically coy.

“Obviously, once we have analysed everything with that player, we want to integrate him with the team as quickly as possible,” the Spaniard said, offering little insight into the progress of the rumoured deal.