Arsenal news: Mikel Arteta left in no doubt about £13m man but told star 'will be devastated'

Arsenal are already gearing up to face Manchester City on Sunday, just days removed from the club's 2-0 away win over Athletic Club. The club's Champions League campaign got off to a positive start thanks to late goals from substitutes Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard, securing three points in Bilbao.

Despite the match proving more challenging than some supporters might have expected, it showcased the depth of talent within Arsenal's squad. Manager Mikel Arteta now faces tough choices, particularly in midfield, as he prepares his team to take on City at the Emirates Stadium.

One of Arsenal's new signings, Cristhian Mosquera, received praise from a team-mate for his performance at San Mames, while an Arsenal legend raised questions about one of Arteta's tactical decisions during the match.

Cristhian Mosquera verdict

Cristhian Mosquera, who was signed from Valencia for £13million this summer, made a confident Champions League debut as he continued to step in for William Saliba. The 21-year-old defender paired seamlessly with Gabriel Magalhaes for the second game running, earning praise from full-back Jurrien Timber for his impressive start with the Gunners.

"He does amazing," Timber told TNT Sports after the win over Athletic. "Still so young, the way he comes in, it looks so easy for him, winning his duels and on the ball as well.

"It is great to have him next to me, and I think he has a bright future ahead as well."

Timber wasn't the only one to lavish praise on Mosquera's display, with Arsenal legend Martin Keown commenting: "This fella, mobile, quick, strong, there's a lot more to come. He's put in some really good performances."

Mikel Arteta's dilemma

Arsenal failed to unlock their full attacking prowess against Athletic, with Arteta's changes from the bench proving decisive. However, the side's sluggish start in Spain has placed the Gunners' midfield under scrutiny.

Arteta fielded Martin Zubimendi alongside Declan Rice and Mikel Merino for the club's Champions League curtain-raiser. The same midfield trio began Arsenal's defeat to Liverpool, where the Gunners faced criticism for their cautious approach.

Sky Sports has highlighted that Rice and Merino have secured victory in just one of the nine Premier League fixtures they have begun as a midfield partnership, with Arsenal's 4-0 rout at Ipswich being the exception. With Martin Odegaard remaining doubtful to recover from his shoulder problem in time to face City, Arteta must decide whether to persist with his recent midfield or introduce a more adventurous alternative.

Ethan Nwaneri came on for Odegaard after 18 minutes during last week's triumph over Forest, yet the youngster stayed on the substitutes' bench against Athletic. Meanwhile, Eberechi Eze has previously flourished operating as a number 10 at Crystal Palace, and a change of position could offer one of Arsenal's other attacking players a chance to shine against City, given Bukayo Saka remains out with a hamstring injury.

Viktor Gyokeres decision questioned

Despite Arsenal celebrating their hard-fought victory over Athletic, one of Arteta's tactical calls came under scrutiny during the match. The criticism came from former Arsenal hero Perry Groves after striker Viktor Gyokeres, who sustained a cut to the back of his head during the match, was substituted for Leandro Trossard in the 65th minute with the game still a stalemate.

"It's just strange, I don't know, Mikel Arteta has obviously got his reasons," Groves said on commentary for talkSPORT during the game. "But you've got your centre-forward on the pitch who has been a threat in behind all game.

"He's holding the ball up, Arsenal are starting to exert a little bit of pressure. If you're a centre-forward, if you're Gyokeres, you'd be devastated coming off.

"Because you'd be thinking, 'My team's actually exerted a bit of pressure, we're bound to create a few more chances from now until the end of the game.' And Gyokeres is the one that you'd want on the end of them."

However, Arteta's decision proved fruitful. Martinelli broke the deadlock less than a minute after replacing Eze, while Trossard sealed the victory with his deflected shot just minutes before the final whistle.

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