Arsenal’s Champions League campaign got off to a winning start with a hard-fought 2–0 victory over Athletic Bilbao at the intimidating San Mamés Stadium — and while the headlines belonged to Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard, it was a young defender who earned special praise from club legend Martin Keown.
Cristhian Mosquera, the 21-year-old summer signing from Valencia, delivered a composed and commanding performance at the heart of Arsenal’s defence, stepping up in the absence of William Saliba. His display didn’t go unnoticed, with Keown singling him out during TNT Sports’ post-match coverage.
“Mosquera as well, I want to mention him,” Keown said. “What a performance the young lad coming in at the back. We have to talk about it, because I think he deserves it.”
🧱 Defensive Composure Under Pressure
Bilbao applied pressure throughout the match, but Mosquera stood firm. His stats from the night were quietly outstanding:
- Pass accuracy: 94% (74 of 79 passes completed)
- Clearances: 6
- Duels won: 6 of 11
- Touches: 93
- Tackles: 1
Among Arsenal’s defenders, Mosquera was the most accurate passer, showcasing not only his defensive awareness but also his ability to contribute to build-up play under pressure.
💰 A £13 Million Bargain?
Signed for just £13 million from Valencia, Mosquera was viewed as a long-term project. But with Saliba sidelined, the Spain Under-21 international has been thrust into the spotlight — and he’s thriving. Arsenal fans have already dubbed him a “cheat code” for his calmness and maturity beyond his years.
His performance against Bilbao was another step forward in what’s becoming a breakout season for the young centre-back.
⚽ Martinelli and Trossard Seal the Win
While Mosquera anchored the defence, Arsenal’s attacking duo did the damage up front. Martinelli scored just 36 seconds after coming on, latching onto a lofted pass from Trossard. Minutes later, the Brazilian returned the favour, assisting Trossard for a deflected finish that sealed the win.
It was a clinical display from Arsenal’s forwards — but Keown’s decision to highlight Mosquera’s contribution speaks volumes about the balance and depth in Mikel Arteta’s squad.
🔮 A Star in the Making
With Saliba’s return still uncertain, Mosquera may continue to feature in key fixtures. If his early performances are anything to go by, Arsenal have unearthed a gem — one capable of holding his own on Europe’s biggest stage.
As the Gunners chase silverware across multiple fronts, Mosquera’s emergence could be one of the most important storylines of the season. Quietly brilliant, and now firmly on the radar.