Cristhian Mosquera
Image credit: Getty Images
Former Arsenal defender Gael Clichy has urged fans to keep their expectations in check over new signing Cristhian Mosquera, who is set to deputise for the injured William Saliba in the coming weeks.
Mosquera, 20, arrived at the Emirates this summer in a £13 million move from Valencia as one of eight new recruits. The Spain Under-21 international was handed his competitive debut against Liverpool before the international break, impressing with a composed display after replacing Saliba just five minutes into the match.
With Saliba sidelined by an ankle sprain picked up in the warm-up at Anfield, Mosquera is expected to partner Gabriel Magalhaes in defence when Arsenal host Nottingham Forest on Saturday. The Frenchman is also a doubt for next weekend’s trip to Manchester City, raising the prospect of an extended run in the side for Mosquera.
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Clichy, who recently left his role as assistant manager of France’s Under-21s to pursue a career in management, sees huge potential in the young defender but warned that the pressure of starting matches is very different to coming off the bench.
Mosquera
Cristhian Mosquera replaced William Saliba against Liverpool (Image credit: Getty Images)
“Coming off the bench and starting a game are two different things,” Clichy toldMetro via BetMGM. “When you start, the opposition will have analysed your game all week, looking at your weaknesses and strengths. That’s a very different challenge.
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“He will have been thinking about this for the last two weeks, ‘this is my time, I cannot mess around and miss this opportunity.’ He has to deliver and get to William’s level because he may only have a few weeks. This is a different story.”
The former full-back added that supporters should not expect too much too soon, despite Mosquera’s promising debut.
“For anyone that supports Arsenal, you cannot tell yourself that because he had a great game against Liverpool, he is going to be amazing for the next few weeks while William is out. Football doesn’t work like that,” Clichy said.
“So often we see young players perform really well in their first year when no one expects anything, but when they have to confirm it the following year, they fall short. We have to give him time. He has all the attributes to be a great defender, but it’s a process.”
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