Arsenal legend heaps praise on 'really advanced' summer signing

Robin Bairner

11 Oct 2025 09:13 CDT
3 min read

Cristhian Mosquera, Arsenal, 2025/26 — © IMAGO

Arsenal’s most impressive summer signing has not been big money signings Viktor Gyokeres or Martin Zubimendi, according to former Gunner Sol Campbell.

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The ex-England centre-back has had his eye caught by the performances of Cristhian Mosquera, who arrived in a €15 million (£13m) deal from Valencia.

Mosquera arrived and was expected to be little more than a squad player initially, but an injury to William Saliba provided an opportunity for the 21-year-old that he snatched with both hands.

Current ETV

Cristhian Mosquera

D (C)

Arsenal

Cristhian Mosquera

D (C)

Arsenal

ETV Range

€34.8M - €42.6M

"Mosquera has done really well. He's come in a couple of times, and he's played really, really advanced for his age. You know, he's going to make slight mistakes here and there, but that's normal. But he's quick and strong, good positioning, good passer. He knows what it's all about. He's responsible, and also it looks like he cares about the game as well,” former England defender Campbell told GiveMeSport.

"He wants to produce a good performance every time he goes on the pitch. He can learn a lot from Saliba and Gabriel. And that's what you want. You want these young players, if someone gets injured, he comes in, and the level doesn't drop. And it didn't drop with him. So he's nipping at the heels of the guys."

The emergence of Mosquera, Campbell argues, is only a good thing for the likes of Saliba, Gabriel and Arsenal as a whole.

“You need that pull and push and, you know, maybe keep everyone on their toes. And I think it's important for a football team, because sometimes you can drop off a little bit, and it takes a little edge off you,” he explained.

© IMAGO - Cristhian Mosquera: Arsenal's signing has been hailed

How good can Mosquera become?

Perhaps the most exciting thing for Arsenal fans is that there seems to be a whole lot more to come from Mosquera, who has seen his Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) shoot up to €38.7m (£33.7m) off the back of his impressive start to life at the Emirates.

Data analytics firm SciSports indicates that the former Valencia star is among the 10 centre-backs with the highest potential ceiling, with Arsenal club-mate Saliba one of the few men ahead of him.

Just how far he will go now is largely up to him, his club, and a bit of luck. There is little doubt, however, that Arsenal have found themselves one of the bargains of the summer.

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