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Arsenal just got a much-needed boost in their pre-season tour as young defender Cristhian Mosquera is now on his way to Singapore to join the rest of the team. The 21-year-old is expected to meet up with manager Mikel Arteta’s squad ahead of their friendly game against AC Milan this Wednesday.
While the club hasn’t officially announced the signing yet, it’s pretty clear that everything is almost done. Mosquera has already said goodbye to his old club, Valencia, and has been given the green light to travel and join the Arsenal team. Reports, including those from BBC Sport, say that the deal is nearly completed and it’s only a matter of time before it becomes official.
This is great news for Arsenal, especially since one of their other new signings, Noni Madueke, won’t be able to join the squad right away due to Club World Cup duties. Mosquera’s arrival gives the team more strength at the back, which they need right now.
Last season, the Spain U21 international was a regular starter for Valencia in La Liga, barely missing a minute. His strong performances, consistent fitness, and calm defending have impressed many. For a team like Arsenal that’s looking to tighten up its defence, he could be a valuable addition.
And Mosquera’s not coming alone. Arsenal’s summer signings are starting to pile in. Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi, and Christian Norgaard have also made the trip to Singapore and are training with the team. There are also talks going on to bring in Sporting’s striker Viktor Gyokeres, which shows Arsenal is not done strengthening their squad.
Mosquera is a smart signing because he’s not only a solid centre-back, but he can also play at right-back. That versatility is going to help a lot, especially since Takehiro Tomiyasu is out of the squad for now. With William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes still holding down the core of the defence, having more competition will only improve the team’s backline.
Arsenal has a packed schedule on this Asia tour. After facing AC Milan on Wednesday, they go up against Newcastle on Sunday, both games taking place at Singapore’s National Stadium. Then, the team will fly to Hong Kong for a huge pre-season match against Tottenham, before finally heading back to London.
With fresh new faces arriving, especially Mosquera, Arsenal’s pre-season preparations are shaping up well. And fans will be eager to see how this new defensive addition performs in the red and white jersey.