Cristhian Mosquera Hails Viktor Gyökeres as “A Beast” — Credits Arsenal Striker for His Growth

Arsenal’s young defender Cristhian Mosquera has praised teammate Viktor Gyökeres, describing the Swedish forward as a “beast” who has pushed him to become a better player since joining the North London club.

Speaking in an interview with AS, the Spanish-born defender revealed how training alongside Gyökeres has sharpened his defensive skills and accelerated his adaptation to life under Mikel Arteta.

“From the first moment Arteta spoke to me, I had no doubts about joining Arsenal,” Mosquera said.

“There is an incredible group of players. Plus, there are a lot of Spanish speakers, which has helped me adapt.

“Gyökeres is 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.”

Mosquera, who joined Arsenal from Villarreal during the summer, has already begun making waves with his composure and maturity at the back. The 20-year-old’s comments offer a glimpse into the competitive environment Arteta has built — one where talent thrives through intensity and mutual improvement.

💭 Opinion: Gyökeres Is More Than a Striker — He’s Shaping Arsenal’s Future Defenders

What stands out from Mosquera’s words isn’t just admiration — it’s growth through challenge. Every elite team needs players who elevate those around them, and Gyökeres seems to be doing exactly that at Arsenal.

His physicality, movement, and relentless pressing have not only made him a nightmare for Premier League defenders but also a valuable training ground test for his own teammates.

For a young defender like Mosquera, facing Gyökeres daily isn’t just practice — it’s an education in survival at the highest level. And in the long run, that’s the kind of internal competition that forges champions.

Arteta’s Arsenal might not just be building a team; they’re building a culture — one where even the battles on the training ground shape tomorrow’s stars. ⚽🔥