Mosquera, the Spanish defender for Arsenal Football Club, was interviewed by Spanish media before the 2026 Champions League final in Budapest.
This has been an incredible debut season for you at Arsenal. You’ve won the Premier League, and next Saturday there’s a chance to win the Champions League. What would you have thought if someone told you all this would happen when you signed in the summer?
Wow, to be honest, it's just crazy. I've had many difficult seasons at Valencia in recent years, and now coming here and winning a title, honestly, it feels like a dream. The other day I was talking about it with my family; who would have thought when I signed that I would be experiencing a moment like this.
Did Arteta tell you at the time: "Come here, you'll win titles, and you'll compete for the most important honors in the world"?
Absolutely. We all know what kind of club Arsenal is, and the team has been very close to success in recent years. Thank God, this year we won the Premier League, and now there’s another trophy waiting for us to fight for.
How was the celebration at the training ground the other day?
It was crazy. To be honest, everyone was very nervous during the match, but when the referee blew the final whistle, there was a sudden feeling of complete release. After all, this season has been very long, with highs and lows, but in the end, we did it.
The Champions League final is coming up soon. Does Arteta allow you to celebrate to the fullest? How do you balance the emotions between celebrating and preparing for the final?
It’s exactly as you said. After all, it's the first time in 22 years that we've won the Premier League, so we definitely have to celebrate properly. But at the same time, the Champions League final is always in everyone's minds, because it's also something very important, and we are very eager for it.
Do you think you'll be in the squad?
Ultimately, it doesn't depend on me. I know there's an opportunity, and there are expectations from the outside, but I won't overthink these things. I just try to seize the opportunity at Arsenal and perform my best, because only my performance can truly get me into the squad.
Has anyone informed you that you've been included in the preliminary squad?
I have heard some news that I might be on the list. It's possible.
We've noticed that Arsenal now has many Spanish-speaking players. The other day, during the championship celebration, the first song sung was the classic Spanish song "Campeones." Today, there's also a lot of Spanish music. What has Spanish and Latin culture brought to this Arsenal team?
Ultimately, we all know what Spaniards are like – that joy, that uninhibited personality. As you said, there are many Spanish speakers in the team now, and also people from many different places. Honestly, this team is great, the locker room atmosphere is too, the staff are too, everything is joyful. And that Latin, Spanish touch, definitely adds something unique to the team.
You've said you're seizing the opportunity at Arsenal and also hoping to get a national team call-up through it. Now you have a good chance to start as a right-back in the Champions League final, as Ben White is injured and Timber's situation is still unknown. How do you feel about facing world-class wingers like Kvaratskhelia and Doue?
Yes, many people have been mentioning those names recently. But ultimately, playing in the Champions League final itself is a dream, and participating in it even more so. You treat it as a challenge, and something you've dreamed of since childhood. Many memories will resurface – family, past sacrifices and efforts – these things will motivate you even more and prepare you for such a match.
You mentioned the word "relaxed." After winning the Premier League, are you able to play the Champions League final in a more relaxed state?
Yes, I think winning the Premier League has definitely given us something extra. "Relaxed" might not be the most accurate word, but I should say – more free, more liberated. And this joy and positive emotion will only continue to accumulate.
Why is this Arsenal team so solid? Why is it so difficult for others to break you down and defeat you?
Team commitment. Everyone always talks about defense, but actually, the players upfront are often the first to get involved in defense. I think this is very clear; the whole team's commitment and sense of responsibility are why the team has achieved these results this season. Sometimes you might not be in the best form, but you rely on the entire team's commitment, and that's the key to continuously getting points.
For example, in Spain, people often discuss Real Madrid, saying that the attacking players' defensive involvement is not enough, which affects the team's performance.
Every team has its own situation, and every player has their own characteristics. Real Madrid has many excellent players. This year, some things didn't go as expected, but that's another matter.
What was Arteta's state after winning the Premier League?
Very happy. And of course, nervous; he had been nervous all along. After all these years of hard work, and getting so close to success repeatedly, this moment finally arrived. Thank God, we did it.