Arsenal's Centre-Back Situation: Keown's Confidence in Mosquera and Salmon

Martin Keown insists Arsenal do not need to rush into the market for a new centre-back, even with William Saliba facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

The France international aggravated a back problem during the World Cup and is set to miss a significant chunk of the season, a blow that would normally send alarm bells ringing at a club with title ambitions. Arsenal have inevitably been linked with a string of central defenders – Cristian Romero’s name surfaced before he chose Atletico Madrid, while Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa and Liverpool’s Jarell Quansah have also been mentioned.

Keown, though, is looking much closer to home.

Mosquera and Salmon catch the eye

The former Arsenal defender has been struck by what he has seen in pre-season from Cristhian Mosquera and teenager Marli Salmon, and he believes Mikel Arteta already has the tools to cope.

“Salmon looked really good in the friendly game against Como, he's progressing nicely,” Keown told football.london at TNT Sports’ “Levels” Trophy Cabinet pop-up in London. “Mosquera for me also looked really sharp in that match. I don't think there's a necessity to buy a central defender, I think that's an area they can cope with.”

The transfer rumour mill continues to churn, but Keown sees strength in the versatility already inside the squad. Riccardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapie, both left-footed, can step inside from full-back or wider defensive roles and offer extra cover in the middle.

“I'm hearing that they are being linked with various central defenders so maybe they want to strengthen in that area [but] defending-wise, Calafiori can also pop into there, Hincapie can do that. All left-footed. So that area looks particularly strong for Arsenal.”

Replacing Saliba–Gabriel? Not easy, but…

What Arsenal cannot simply replicate is the chemistry between Saliba and Gabriel. Their partnership has underpinned the club’s rise from top-four hopefuls to champions, a blend of aggression, composure and sheer presence that opponents have struggled to break.

Keown admits that bond is special, but he does not see a vacuum. He sees an opportunity.

“[Arsenal will miss] the combination they’ve got, because those two players (Saliba and Gabriel) really enjoy playing with one another,” he said. “Although Mosquera, I think after four minutes he came on at Anfield last year and showed us how good he was, and he's even better in pre-season this year so I think Saliba is not available, he starts the season.”

Mosquera, 22, made 20 league appearances last season and earned a senior Spain debut on the back of his club form. Each outing has strengthened the sense that he is ready for a bigger role. Keown clearly believes the next step is now.

Lewis-Skelly links fail to rattle Keown

The concern is not limited to centre-back. Reports have also linked Myles Lewis-Skelly with a move away, with Chelsea and Manchester United both credited with interest. For a fanbase scarred by losing prized academy talents in the past, that sort of noise usually stings.

Keown is not panicking.

Lewis-Skelly, who has already shown his adaptability by stepping forward from full-back into midfield late last season, played and scored in the midweek friendly against Como. Arsenal have since added Bruno Guimaraes to the middle of the park, increasing the competition for places and raising the standard required to start.

Keown recognises that, across the pitch, Arsenal will need every top performer available if they are to mount another serious title challenge. But he refuses to frame the coming campaign as an exercise in hanging on to what they have.

Not defending a title – chasing the next one

“You’ve got to go and win it again, it’s not about defending it,” he said. “You're very proud of winning it but maybe this now opens up a door for confidence, for the handbrake to come off a bit, to believe in themselves.”

The landscape around them has shifted. Manchester City’s grip on the Premier League has loosened, not necessarily in quality but in certainty. New managers have flooded in across the division, new ideas, new vulnerabilities, new threats.

“Because obviously Man City had a stranglehold on the Premier League for quite a few years, but there have been some huge changes now with all the new managers coming in.

“Arteta is now probably one of the most secure managers in the Premier League and has probably been there longer than almost anybody else. Finishing in second place on three occasions and then winning it so they really are in good form to go and [win it again].”

Saliba’s absence would once have felt like a fault line running straight through Arsenal’s season. Keown doesn’t see it that way. With Mosquera emerging, Salmon pushing, and tactical flexibility across the back line, he sees a squad hardened by success and ready for another run at the title.

The question now is not whether they can protect what they have already done, but whether this group has the nerve and depth to go and rip the trophy away from the rest of the league all over again.