Arsenal News: Mikel Arteta Set to Make Bold Lineup Changes Ahead of Olympiacos Clash
It’s been an excellent few days for Arsenal fans. On Saturday, the Gunners watched rivals Chelsea, Manchester United, and most importantly Liverpool, all drop points. To top it off, Mikel Arteta’s side secured a dramatic 3 points away at Newcastle United, strengthening their Premier League title push.
But there’s little time to celebrate. Arsenal now turn their attention to the Champions League, with a crucial midweek fixture against Olympiacos. With games coming thick and fast, Arteta is expected to rotate his squad heavily — including one surprise decision to drop a highly-rated youngster in favor of a proven world-class star.
Predicted Arsenal Lineup vs Olympiacos
Goalkeeper
David Raya has been outstanding, but with the schedule piling up, Kepa Arrizabalaga could come in to give the Spaniard a well-earned rest.
Defense
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Ben White may start at right-back, while promising youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly is tipped to feature at left-back after impressing off the bench against Newcastle.
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In central defense, Gabriel Magalhães will likely keep his spot. But the big talking point is the return of William Saliba, who is expected to start after overcoming minor fitness issues. This would mean Cristhian Mosquera, dubbed Arsenal’s “signing of the summer,” could be dropped despite his fine form.
Midfield
Arteta could keep Martin Zubimendi at the base, with Martin Ødegaard and Eberechi Eze operating ahead of him. Eze is still adapting, while Ødegaard needs minutes to sharpen his rhythm — making this the perfect match for both.
Attack
Leading the line, Viktor Gyökeres should continue after showing promise at St James’ Park. Gabriel Martinelli could start on the left to stretch Olympiacos, while teenage star Ethan Nwaneri may replace Bukayo Saka, who deserves a rest.
Why Arteta Should Drop Mosquera for Saliba
While Mosquera has been sensational since arriving from Valencia, he is still just 21 years old and learning at the highest level. This is the perfect time to rotate him out, not because of mistakes, but to avoid overplaying him.
Meanwhile, Saliba, widely regarded as one of the best young defenders in the world and even described as “world-class” by Fabrizio Romano, needs minutes to regain fitness and sharpness. With a potentially youthful lineup, Arteta will want a strong defensive backbone — making the Gabriel-Saliba partnership essential.
Final Thoughts
Arsenal’s victory over Newcastle proved their resilience, but the Champions League demands smart squad management. By rotating wisely and bringing Saliba back into the XI, Mikel Arteta can keep his squad fresh, competitive, and ready for the challenges ahead.
This Olympiacos match may not define Arsenal’s season, but the decisions Arteta makes could have a huge impact on their momentum across all competitions.