Arsenal 21yo confirms Atletico Madrid wanted him | OneFootball

Christhian Mosquera has confirmed Atletico Madrid made contact to sign him before his move to north London, ahead of facing them in the Champions League semi-final.

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Christhian Mosquera has revealed that Atletico Madrid made contact to sign him in 2024, before Arsenal secured the defender from Valencia for €15m in the summer.

Now valued at €35m and preparing to face Atletico in the Champions League semi-final, Mosquera admitted the Spanish side had shown interest prior to his move to north London, though he left those discussions to his agent.

“It’s true that something was sounded out,” Mosquera told AS. “My agent is the one who takes care of all the issues related to my future, I ask him not to tell me anything until there is something very concrete, so he is the one who handles it. But it is true that there was some contact with Atlético.”

The 21-year-old has settled quickly into Mikel Arteta’s squad, operating at centre-back when needed and filling in at right-back, as Arsenal continue their push for both the Premier League and Champions League.

Speaking ahead of the semi-final, Mosquera insisted the squad remain calm despite external pressure. “Well, within the noise that has been outside and that continues to be, inside the locker room we are calm and confident that our work is going to give that reward that we want,” he said.” “It’s time to come out on top and get that personality and face in these matches that come with the maximum attitude that you can, because that will be the way to take it forward.”

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He also echoed Arteta’s view that the current moment should be embraced rather than feared. “I don’t think that’s it. Many things are talked about from the outside until it seems that they are the truth, but it is not so. We hear the word pressure a lot, but it’s not pressure at all. As the manager says, it’s really an opportunity that we want to make history with this club and that’s how we took it, with the conviction that we could grab it.”

Arsenal head into the tie having returned to the top of the Premier League after victory over Newcastle, while also reaching the last four in Europe, something Mosquera believes reflects the team’s progress.

“They are two very nice competitions,” he said. “We are privileged to be here, but we have earned being alive in both and are fighting to win them. This is about the much talked about match-to-match. We focused on the Premier League at the weekend and now the Champions League is coming and our focus is on this match.”

Looking ahead to Atletico, Mosquera made clear there would be no underestimating the Spanish side. “I couldn’t tell you if there is any favourites, but Atleti is Atleti,” he said.

“They are always going to make it difficult for you and are going to fight it to the end. It’s going to be a very difficult playoff, we know that. But we are going to go to Madrid with everything and then we will receive you here. We have the dream of reaching the Champions League final and we are going to do everything to be in that match.”

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He also pointed to the importance of the second leg being in London, while stressing Arsenal’s intent to take control in the first. “Yes, it is an important factor that we have earned. We are invincible in the Champions League so far and having our fans in the second leg is something that can play in our favour. But we are going to the Metropolitan with the idea of winning.”

Arsenal’s 4-0 win over Atletico earlier in the competition remains a reference point for the squad. “We are in a quite different moment of the season, but that game is there because it has been in this same campaign,” Mosquera said. “And it shows that we are capable of beating a team like Atletico Madrid like that and it gives you that mental energy that we are capable of, of course we are.”

Mosquera also outlined the challenge posed by Atletico’s style. “Atlético is a team that really likes open spaces when it steals the ball and has very dangerous players on the counter-attack. And it is a team that also has weaknesses and we will work on them. We will push to hurt them and score goals like we did in the game we played in the league phase. I think one of the keys will be to go for them.”