Cristhian, how are you enjoying your time at Arsenal so far?
I’m really happy with my arrival here. The people have made it really easy for me to adapt. I’m really happy; the first few months have been incredible. To be honest I didn’t expect to adapt so quickly and to be so happy as I am already!
What have been your highlights so far?
I think for me it was the game against Liverpool at Anfield. I would say that can be one of those moments, but also every moment so far has been important. In the end, you have to enjoy every moment to the fullest. You’re in a club like Arsenal, and any player in the world would like to be in a club like this. So I think you have to express yourself and enjoy every moment you play and spend here at the club.
Who has helped you integrate into the team so far? Has it helped that we have a lot of Spanish speakers here?
Yes, it’s true that it helps a lot. I’ve been in Spain all my life, and it helps a lot to have a lot of Spanish speakers. But as many other teammates have said, it’s not just the Spanish speakers who help you adapt, but the whole dressing room.
It’s an incredible group of people here. I think they all contribute to the team so that the new players integrate, are happy and adapt quickly. The team certainly has that and all the people around the team also help us.
You made your debut at home against Leeds United in August. Tell us about that moment. Was your family at the stadium at the time?
Yes, they always come to see me whenever they can. It was an incredible moment. To make my debut in the Premier League with Arsenal at our fantastic stadium – it was an incredible moment, a dream moment! But to keep working for those opportunities, for those moments, that’s what I’ve come to do here. I will work for those opportunities.
What did Mikel Arteta and the coaches tell you after the games against Leeds United and Liverpool?
They were very happy with me. They always try to give me their vision of the game. I’m obviously still only 21 years old so I think I still have room for improvement. And, well, I think it’s an incredible staff here. They try to help me in everything they can. What I can say is that after those games, they were very happy with me.
But as I said, in the end, this doesn’t stop here. There’s still a long way to go. So they insist that I keep working, that I stay the same. That’s what’s important – to stay the same as I have until now.