Arsenal star Cristhian Mosquera believes training with a ‘beast’ like Viktor Gyokeres has played a major role in him settling into the Premier League so quickly.
Mosquera joined the Gunners from Villarreal during the summer transfer window and was quickly thrust into the first-team when William Saliba picked up a knock in the third game of the season against Liverpool.
After Saliba was forced off early on, Mosquera provided a measured and mature performance at the back alongside Gabriel Magalhaes with the Arsenal defence unable to do little about Dominik Szoboszlai’s stunning free kick winner.
The Spain Under-21 international has made eight appearances in total for his new club, swiftly taking to life in the English top flight.
Discussing his swift adaption, Mosquera credits the intensity of Arsenal’s training sessions as a key factor, particularly going up against fellow summer signing Gyokeres.
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‘From the first moment Arteta spoke to me, I had no doubts about joining Arsenal,’ Mosquera told AS.
‘There’s an incredible group of players. Plus, there are a lot of Spanish speakers, which has helped me adapt.’
Asked what it is like coming up against Gyokeres in training, he added: ‘He’s a beast, an animal. Training with him helps defenders improve.
‘There were great players at Valencia, but training with such top-level players is a huge leap.’
Arsenal went into the international break top of the Premier League following Liverpool’s recent wobble that saw them lose three games on the bounce.
Mikel Arteta’s side return to action away to Fulham on Saturday 18 October and will be hoping Manchester United can do them a favour and dent Liverpool’s title hopes when the arch-rivals meet at Anfield the following day.
Arteta will be eager for Gyokeres to get on the score sheet again. While the Arsenal boss has heaped praise on his striker for his work rate, he has just three goals in his first 10 appearances for his new club.
Two of those came at home to newly-promoted Leeds United with the other at home to Nottingham Forest who sit just a point above the relegation zone.