Berta has already signed his own Gehi with Arsenal, he’s a ‘monster’

Although they haven’t crossed the line yet, Arsenal are indistinguishable from the team Mikel Arteta managed more than six years ago.

The Spaniard transformed the sleeping giants from a league flop into one of Europe’s best, helping them reach the Premier League and Champions League.

Much of that is down to the manager’s philosophy and approach, but just as much, if not more, to the transfers the club has made over the past few years, including the likes of Declan Rice, Martin Zvimendi and Martin Odegaard.

Still, the most formidable part of the North London side has to be their imposing defense, and it seems they would like to add to that with Marc Gehi.

But even if other interested parties such as Manchester City beat out Arsenal for the Englishman, Arteta need not be too upset as manager Andrea Berta has already signed his own version of the popular defender.

Why Arsenal want Guehi

Now, some might argue that one of the reasons Arsenal want to sign Guehi on a free transfer in the summer is to do so to prevent one of their rivals from doing so.

But while that may be partially true, the most important reason the Gunners want to sign the Englishman is that he is an outstanding defender who will improve an already impressive backline.

Furthermore, he is not only a solid defender, but he is also a player who can thrive with the ball at his feet, and he does.

For example, FBref ranks the Crystal Palace star in the top 3% of centre-backs in Europe’s top five leagues for expected non-penalty goals and assists, goal-created actions, top 5% for shot-created actions and top 8% for key passes on a scale of 90.

In other words, Arteta need not worry about what starting the Abidjan-born monster will mean for his team’s build-up play.

Another key reason why the Gunners are keen on signing the former Chelsea treasure is his wealth of experience and leadership qualities.

For example, despite only being 25, he has played two games for the Blues, 59 for Swansea City and 188 for Palace, where he captained them and led them to their first-ever major silver medal win in the FA Cup last season.

All in all, it’s clear why Arsenal would want Guehi, despite already having an imposing defensive ability, but Berta has already signed his own version of the English player, so there’s no need to worry if that’s not available.

Arsenal version of Guehi

It’s safe to say that Arteta and Arsenal are spoiled for choice when it comes to quality defenders.

But when it comes to players who can be considered their own version of Guehi, Cristian Mosquera stands out.

Now, before the pitchforks and torches come out, this Spaniard is not yet on the level of the British, but the similarities are there.

For example, the former Cobham talent broke into the first team on loan at Swansea in the 19/20 season and became a regular starter for the Wales side the following season.

After just one season, he joined Palace and was given the captain’s armband in 2022 at just 21 years old.

In other words, the England international made his mark in senior football early in his career, which he achieved with a summer signing for the Gunners.

In fact, he could be said to have made an even brighter start to his career, making 90 first-team appearances for La Liga giants Valencia and securing a move to the likes of Arsenal before his 22nd birthday.

The next similarity is that, like most sought-after centre-backs, the former Valencia treasure is comfortable playing from the back while also taking on tough challenges.

For example, FBref ranks the 6-foot-3 “monster,” as one analyst called him, in the top 3% of center backs in Europe’s top five leagues for tackles in the defensive third and in the top 9% for tackles won.

This ability to play both parts of the game was on full display earlier in the season against Nottingham Forest and Athletic Bilbao.

In these fixtures, he contributed to two clean sheets while completing an impressive 75 passes in both games.

Ultimately, if Arsenal have a chance to sign Guehi, they should take it, but if not, there’s no need to worry, as Mosquera could very well be their own version of an English player.