Arsenal: Cristhian Mosquera reveals how Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta talks convinced him to sign | OneFootball

The 21-year-old has arrived from Valencia for an initial £13m

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Cristhian Mosquera has revealed talks with Andrea Berta and Mikel Arteta were “key” to him joining Arsenal.

Mosquera arrives with a growing reputation after missing just one of Valencia’s 38 league games last season.

The 21-year-old has been tipped for a big future and he hopes to fulfil his potential at Arsenal, after Arteta and Berta sold the club to him.

“They were a key part of the decision,” said Mosquera.

“When the coach and sporting director show that belief in you and you feel that connection in initial talks, it really helped convince me to come here.

“I’ve come to a massive club with big expectations and a real desire to keep growing and improving. I want to help my team-mates and this great team. That’s my goal.”

Mosquera has been signed to provide cover for Gabriel and William Saliba, who are Arsenal’s first-choice centre-backs.

The Spaniard is able to play as a left or right centre-back, while he has filled in at full-back, too.

“I think I’m a quick and agile player,” Mosquera added. “I’m always focused and I feel I’m good at playing out from the back.

“My main position is at centre-back, but I’ve also played at full-back many times. I can play at centre-back on either side.

“I’ve played on the left a few times this year and that helped me improve my left foot. It’s made me a better player.”

Mosquera has joined Arsenal out in Singapore for their pre-season tour and he has trained with the squad.

The defender is getting to know his new team-mates, but he already knows one of them after playing against Ethan Nwaneri at this summer’s European Under-21 Championship.

“It was great,” said Mosquera. “To be honest, I already had Arsenal in my mind around at that time.

“At the end of the game, I was at centre-back and he came on up front, so we had a few direct battles. It was all good.”