Arsenal fans hail ‘brilliant’ Mikel Arteta move – ‘It killed Tottenham’
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Credit: Imago Mon 23 February 2026 6:00, UK Mikel Arteta’s decision to sub on Cristhian Mosquera has been hailed as a masterstroke by the Arsenal support during their victory at Tottenham.Arsenal had been criticised for letting a two-goal lead slip at Wolves, but Arteta’s side made no mistake in a 4-1 win at Spurs.Randal Kolo Muani pegged Spurs back following an opener from Eberechi Eze, but the midfielder scored again in the second half, alongside a brace from Viktor Gyokeres, to seal an important three points in north London for Arsenal.Manchester City‘s win over Newcastle had reduced the gap at the top of the Premier League table to just two points, but Arsenal responded emphatically to reopen a five-point advantage over their nearest rivals.Credit: ImagoRead More: Wayne Rooney reveals why Pep Guardiola was playing mind games with Arsenal.Mikel Arteta substitution ‘didn’t go unnoticed’Despite Eze and Gyokeres both scoring two goals, Arsenal fans believe Arteta’s substitution to replace Jurrien Timber with Mosquera may have won them the game.Timber only won one of his four ground duels, and the 24-year-old has not looked at his best recently at right-back. MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES Mosquera, naturally a centre-back, came on at right-back for the final 30 minutes of the game and won all four of his ground duels, won four tackles and made two clearances.Arsenal fans believe Arteta should look to use Mosquera more often as an option at right-back, with Ben White not in the squad against Spurs due to injury.One supporter claimed Mosquera coming on “stabilised the back line” whilst another felt that it could have been an “admission” from Arteta that the 21-year-old should have come on against Wolves.That Mosquera change for timber doesn’t go unnoticed Locked up that right side— R10 (@RA10_MR) February 22, 2026 View Tweet Any time we concede even 1 goal, Sub the culprit for Mosquera with the quickness… Solid player🙌🏽— Richard Osewo (@RichardOsewo) February 22, 2026 View Tweet That Mosquera cameo moved me so much should we give Timber like a month off— ⛓️ (@ItIsNotAB) February 22, 2026 View Tweet Mikel Arteta needs to trust his squad more.
Do more of it this season…— INIOLUWA (@innienuell) February 22, 2026 View Tweet Mosquera quietly came on and had a great cameo at right back. Pressing spurs in their own third.I hope that's Arteta's admission that Mosquera should have been subbed on vs Wolves— smdro (@MarlSmdro) February 22, 2026 View Tweet The Mosquera one felt like he had some self talk with himself and he saw new things he's been ignoring.
It kinda killed the Spurs momentum almost immediately— ʙᴏʏᴇᴡᴇʟʟɴᴇss (@askcoachboye) February 22, 2026 View Tweet Arteta’s decision to bring on Mosquera for Timber was a masterclass in in-game management. Mosquera slotted in seamlessly, stabilizing the backline and shutting down that flank with authority.— Bernhard (@amonly_Ben) February 22, 2026 View Tweet Read More: Arsenal making move for new head of recruitment.