Gael Clichy Warns Arsenal Over Relying on Mosquera Amid Saliba Absence

Gael Clichy issues Cristhian Mosquera Arsenal warning after Saliba injury, urging caution over the young defender’s sudden rise.

Gael Clichy has delivered a warning to Arsenal about relying too heavily on young defender Cristhian Mosquera after William Saliba picked up an ankle injury against Liverpool. Arsenal turned to Mosquera, who delivered a solid debut performance. But Clichy urged the club to stay cautious, stressing that starting regularly demands more than talent—it requires mental resilience. His comments delivered a clear warning as Arsenal face a critical stretch without Saliba.

Saliba’s early exit just five minutes into the Liverpool clash left Arsenal scrambling, and Mosquera—signed from Valencia for £13 million—was called upon to fill the void. His composed debut performance earned praise, but Clichy warns that stepping into a starting role brings a very different kind of pressure.

Coming off the bench and starting a game are two different things,” Clichy told Metro. “When you start, the opposition will have analysed your game all week, looking at your weaknesses and strengths. That’s a very different challenge.”

Mental Fortitude Over Raw Talent

Clichy, who played over 260 games for the Gunners, emphasized the psychological toll that comes with being a starter—especially when expectations are high and scrutiny is intense. He noted that Mosquera’s ability to handle this mental shift will be crucial in determining whether he can truly rise to the occasion.

“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.”

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Tempering Expectations

While Mosquera’s debut showed promise, Clichy urged fans not to jump to conclusions. He pointed out that many young players shine initially when expectations are low, only to falter when consistency is demanded.

 “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.”

With Saliba expected to miss upcoming fixtures against Nottingham Forest and potentially Manchester City, Mosquera could be set for an extended run in the starting lineup alongside Gabriel Magalhães. The pressure is on, and Clichy’s words serve as both a reality check and a rallying cry for patience.

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