Arsenal’s impending move for Valencia’s Cristhian Mosquera would give Mikel Arteta formidable strength in depth at centre-back.
In addition to the first-choice pairing of William Saliba and Gabriel, the Gunners can also call upon Jakub Kiwior and, while Riccardo Calafiori, Jurrien Timber and Ben White have mainly featured at full-back for the club, all three had plenty of experience in central defence before joining.
Kiwior normally provides cover for fellow left-footer Gabriel and filled in successfully when the Brazil international missed the final eight weeks of last season through injury. Mosquera is therefore initially likely to serve as dedicated back-up for Saliba as the right-sided centre-back.
But one of the advantages to recruiting Mosquera is his ability to play in either channel. The Spaniard’s breakthrough campaign was in 2023-24, when 85% of his league minutes for Valencia came as the right-sided centre-back. The following year, the emergence of Cesar Tarrega meant Mosquera was often moved to the left, making 62% of his appearances there.
While Arsenal released the versatile but injury-plagued Takehiro Tomiyasu this summer, the signing of 21-year-old Mosquera should mean the Gunners have more than enough defensive options available.