Arsenal have enjoyed a fantastic few days.
On Saturday, they watched rivals Chelsea, Manchester United, and most importantly Liverpool all slip up, before securing a dramatic three points away at Newcastle United.
But there’s little time to celebrate. Mikel Arteta and his side must quickly shift their focus to the Champions League, where Olympiacos await on Wednesday night.
With fixtures coming thick and fast, squad rotation will be key. Arteta is expected to make several adjustments to his starting XI, including resting a rising star in favour of an established world-class option.
The lineup changes Arteta should consider
Sunday’s clash at St James’ Park was intense, and with West Ham United looming this weekend, Arteta would be wise to shuffle his pack for the Olympiacos tie.
The first alteration could be in goal, with Kepa Arrizabalaga stepping in for David Raya. The Spaniard deserves a rest, and a slightly less demanding fixture makes it an ideal opportunity for Kepa to get minutes.
At right-back, Ben White should continue, with Jurrien Timber (mistakenly called White) handed a breather after his outstanding display against Newcastle. On the opposite flank, youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly, who impressed off the bench, should be rewarded with just his second start of the season.
In midfield, Martin Zubimendi could anchor, while Martin Ødegaard and Eberechi Eze partner further forward. For Ødegaard, it’s about regaining rhythm after recent absences, while Eze still needs more time to adapt to Arsenal’s system. Together, they offer creativity and the ability to break down Olympiacos’ likely low defensive block.
Up front, Viktor Gyökeres should lead the line again, having looked sharper on Sunday. More minutes – and hopefully more goals – will only build his confidence. Gabriel Martinelli could slot in on the left, while Ethan Nwaneri deserves another chance on the right, giving Bukayo Saka much-needed rest without compromising quality.
Yet there’s one more key decision Arteta must make – and it involves leaving out one of Arsenal’s brightest young defenders.
Why Arteta should rest Mosquera
Gabriel Magalhães is almost certain to keep his place at centre-back after his goal-scoring display at Newcastle. His partner, however, should be William Saliba.
That would mean dropping Cristhian Mosquera – a player already hailed by some as Arsenal’s signing of the summer. Despite his impressive performances, the 21-year-old is still raw and adjusting to top-level football. Giving him a short break could prevent burnout and help manage his development.
More importantly, this game provides the perfect chance to reintegrate Saliba, described as “world-class” by Fabrizio Romano. After only playing half a match at the weekend due to fitness concerns, a full outing against Olympiacos would help him sharpen up ahead of tougher tests to come.
With the likelihood of several young players featuring – such as Nwaneri, Lewis-Skelly, and perhaps even Max Dowman – it makes sense to field Arsenal’s strongest possible centre-back pairing to ensure balance and stability.
Mosquera has immense potential, but this is the right time to let Saliba start, rebuild his rhythm, and steady the team as Arsenal juggle a demanding schedule.
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