Viktor Gyökeres and Cristhian Mosquera made their non-competitive first team debuts against Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday, 31st July, and Mikel Arteta has shared his thoughts on their performances. Both came on as second half substitutes but had limited time to make an impact in Arsenal’s 1-0 defeat.
Following much anticipation around their arrivals, particularly Gyökeres, supporters were eager to see the new signings in the iconic red and white. Neither player has seen much action in pre-season so far, with Gyökeres only joining the squad a week ago. However, Arteta believes things will look quite different when Arsenal face Villarreal at the Emirates on Wednesday.
Arteta pleased with early signs from new arrivals
Speaking to reporters after the match, Arteta expressed his excitement at having both players in the squad and suggested they may feature more prominently in the next friendly. As quoted by Arsenal media, he said:
“Really happy obviously to have them here. I think they’re going to have a lot of value. You see this right away, as well as the energy and the quality that they’re going to bring. It was a short one but at least that one is off now and when they play against Villarreal now, I’m sure it will be a bit different.”
The Spaniard’s comments hint that Gyökeres and Mosquera could be handed more minutes as they continue to integrate into the team and adapt to Arsenal’s style of play.
Building match fitness ahead of the new season
Prior to the Spurs clash, Mosquera had not featured in a competitive game since 21 June, while Gyökeres last played at the end of May. The Swedish forward is still building fitness, having missed a full pre-season with Sporting. With matches against Villarreal and Athletic Club to come, as well as key training sessions in between, the next couple of weeks will be vital in helping both players get match-ready.
Both upcoming fixtures will also give Gyökeres and Mosquera a chance to familiarise themselves with their new home ground, with both matches set to take place at the Emirates Stadium.
What did you make of their cameos against Spurs, Gooners?
Benjamin Kenneth
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Gyokores starting his preseason late, will be an issue. He may not start for Arsenal for a few games. So Haverz needs to have improved in spades by the start of the season.
Arteta has one trophy, won by a team created by his predecessor.
£800m later we play less effective football.
We will win nothing under Arteta before his sacking next summer
Wow! I don’t know why Tottenham fans feel the need to be negative on an Arsenal site. Surely you have enough problems of your own?
KL
Are just noticing it ?
It’s not just spurs fans.
Even all the rival clubs fans and their so called pundits.
Arsenal give them sleepless nights.
😀😀😀
Are you sure?
Who knows, but I think it’s fair to say that should Arsenal not win a trophy in the coming season then it’s very unlikely Arteta will be the coach next summer.
I don’t believe he will be sacked if he gets UCL qualification again and we make the UCL final or have a good showing in a UCL semifinal. The only thing that would make me believe otherwise is if a well known and respected manager unexpectedly became available in the first half of 2026.
For the fewest minutes I watched Mosquera..I was impressed by his composure,solidity,and he was so at ease with the ball,like he knows what he is able to do for the team.Gyokeres came in the hour that is always hard to make up something happen,but we are going to patient with all of our new Signings I hope,big luv for the Just arsenal from Uganda,after following the website for 2 years unnoticed !!
We need Gyokeres in full 90 minutes. Not a substitute. Please. We know what Gyokeres can do.
Pre season is about fitness.Not the time to lose faith in Arteta.Especially when half first team squad is being reassembled.When has this happened instantly?judge Arteta at the end of the season. 3seasons as runners up means he has earned it.
I just hope Mikel gets on it already. He’s doing a little too much IMO. “The season starts here” should be the mindset.
BECAUSE ARSENAL IS INVOLVED.
It’s on record that PSG of France worn the champions League, having stolen Arsenal chance to the final via the antics of their goal keeper, Donnaruma. The world saw it. The officiating refs and VAR saw it but refused to act. In the return leg in France, I nearly switched of the telly because of too many wrong calls against Arsenal.
At the just concluded Club World Cup, coach Luis Enrique and his players dealt with Chelsea players after loosing the match.
The world saw, officials witnessed. Till today, nothing happened.
In Hong Kong, Pedro Porro took the ball from the point of throw-in , and continued walking more than 15 yards towards Arsenal half of the field, he pushed Arteta away in the process whilen Arteta tried to address the manipulation.
What did the incompetent official near by do?
He only made Arteta look like interfering.
Why should an official so ignorant of the rules of the game be allowed in the sideline?
To help spurs?
I need answers.
Surprisingly, every comment about that incident was against Arteta.
WARNING FOR ARSENAL
There’s a witchcraft conspiracy against Arsenal.
The plot is most tick in England and it’s spreading.
Arsenal players must be told that they are not playing against eleven players in open play, and this season, it might be worse from referees and VAR.
The season hasn’t even started and the conspiracy theorists are already out in force. 🤷♂️🤦♂️
At least he didn’t say they could have done better using the same balls they had used on the Iberian Peninsula. 🤣
When it comes to referees, every team will have decisions going both for and against them, but the problem is that in the end, there will be winners and losers of these wrongful decisions. I don’t believe that it all just magically evens out; that’s a dumb belief