Arsenal secured a 2-0 win over Athletic Bilbao in the Champions League on Tuesday night, but Mikel Arteta has little time to prepare for Sunday's clash with Manchester City
Jake Bayliss Sport Writer - U35s and Neil Docking
11:00, 18 Sep 2025Updated 11:10, 18 Sep 2025
Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta spent big this summer at Arsenal
Arsenal are still basking in the glow of their 2-0 triumph over Athletic Bilbao, kicking off their Champions League journey on a high note.
However, there's no time for boss Mikel Arteta to rest on his laurels as the Gunners gear up for a clash with rivals Manchester City this Sunday. The North Londoners clinched three points in Bilbao on Tuesday night, thanks to late goals from super subs Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.
While the match was a tougher nut to crack than some supporters might have expected, it also showcased Arsenal's bolstered squad depth. Arteta now faces some tricky choices, especially in midfield, given the wealth of attacking talent at his fingertips ahead of the showdown with City at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
One of Arsenal's fresh signings received a pat on the back from a colleague for his performance at San Mames, while a club legend raised an eyebrow at one of Arteta's tactical moves during the match. Here's all the latest news from the Emirates.
Cristhian Mosquera verdict
Cristhian Mosquera playing for Arsenal
Arsenal defender Cristhian Mosquera impressed during his Champions League debut on Tuesday(Image: Bruno Penas/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
Cristhian Mosquera put in a solid shift on his Champions League debut, stepping in for the recuperating William Saliba at the core of Arsenal's defence, , reports the Mirror.
The 21-year-old, who was snapped up for £13million from Valencia this summer, slotted in effortlessly alongside Gabriel Magalhaes for the second game running.
Full-back Jurrien Timber gave Mosquera a thumbs-up for his start to life with the Gunners, after Arteta decided to thrown him in at the deep end at Anfield and then away in Europe.
"He does amazing," the Dutchman told TNT Sports after the victory 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 alone in singing Mosquera's praises, with former Arsenal legend Martin Keown chiming in: "This fella, mobile, quick, strong, there's a lot more to come. He's put in some really good performances."
Arteta's headache ahead of City showdown
Alex Caparros - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images.
Mikel Merino and Declan Rice(Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Arsenal failed to unlock their attacking prowess against Athletic, with Arteta's bench proving the game-changers on the night. The Gunners' sluggish start in Spain has put their midfield under the microscope.
Arteta fielded Martin Zubimendi alongside Declan Rice and Mikel Merino for the club's Champions League curtain-raiser. This identical trio also featured in Arsenal's disappointing reverse at Liverpool, where critics slammed the side for their cautious approach.
Sky Sports has highlighted that Rice and Merino have managed just one victory from nine Premier League outings as a midfield partnership, with only the 4-0 demolition of Ipswich bucking the trend.
With Martin Odegaard's shoulder problem casting doubt over his availability for the City clash, Arteta must decide whether to persist with his current midfield triumvirate or gamble on a more adventurous alternative.
Ethan Nwaneri came on for Ødegaard after just 18 minutes in last week's triumph over Forest, but the youngster stayed on the substitutes' bench against Athletic.
Meanwhile, Eberechi Eze has previously flourished in a number 10 position at Crystal Palace, and a potential switch from the flanks could offer one of Arsenal's other attacking stars a chance to shine against City, particularly with Bukayo Saka ruled out through a hamstring injury.
Viktor Gyokeres decision questioned
Viktor Gyokeres playing for Athletic Bilbao
Viktor Gyokeres was substituted for Leandro Trossard against Athletic Bilbao(Image: Cesar Ortiz/Soccrates/Getty Images)
Despite Arsenal celebrating their hard-fought victory over Athletic, one of Arteta's tactical choices came under scrutiny during the match.
The criticism emerged from former Arsenal legend Perry Groves after striker Viktor Gyokeres, who sustained a gash to the back of his head in the second half, was withdrawn for Leandro Trossard in the 65th minute with the score still deadlocked.
"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.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta talks to Viktor Gyokeres during a training session
Viktor Gyokeres' work in training has been exemplary(Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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"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 gamble proved successful. 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.