Mosquera, who was selected in the starting lineup ahead of Jurrien Timber, lunged from behind and fouled PSG’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia inside the penalty area.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Arsenal defender Cristhian Mosquera has opened up on the error that allowed Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) to level the score against his team in the UEFA Champions League (UCL) final last Saturday, saying the experience will ultimately strengthen him.
The Spanish international made this known recently in a post shared on his official Instagram page.
During the elite European encounter, Arsenal surged ahead early in the 6th minute when Kai Havertz struck a powerful shot into the roof of the net.
The Premier League champions appeared nearly unassailable at the back, maintaining their lead until the second half when Mosquera made a costly mistake.
The 21-year-old, who was selected in the starting lineup ahead of Jurrien Timber, lunged from behind and fouled Khvicha Kvaratskhelia within the penalty area. The referee awarded a penalty, which Ousmane Dembélé successfully converted.
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Following the equaliser, the Spanish defender was substituted for Timber. The Gunners ultimately went on to lose the penalty shootout after misses from Eberechi Eze and Gabriel Magalhães.
Speaking on the error for the first time since the encounter, Mosquera noted that, although the experience is painful, he recognises that it will ultimately make him stronger.
He further expressed his faith in God and remarked on how fortunate he feels to be part of the Arsenal team.
Writing via his verified handle, he said: “Wow… How swiftly everything can shift in just a few moments. When it seems like everything is going perfectly, just as you have envisioned since childhood, suddenly, in an instant, one action alters everything.
“I have dedicated my life to dreaming of moments like this, but it did not unfold as I had hoped. And that is when God reminded me that faith is not contingent upon the final outcome I achieve, but rather on how I continue to trust after facing a setback. This setback, despite the pain it brings, will ultimately make me stronger.”
