Mikel Arteta made a rather surprising decision deep into stoppage time when he introduced Mosquera in the 98th minute, despite the fact that the fourth official had originally indicated there would only be seven minutes of added time. The substitution left many fans and analysts questioning the logic behind such a late change, especially in a game that was still finely balanced.
Bringing on a player with just a handful of seconds left on the clock often raises eyebrows, as it is rare for that individual to have enough time to make any meaningful contribution on the pitch. In this particular case, it looked more like a tactical delay or a time-management strategy rather than a move intended to influence the outcome through footballing impact. Coaches sometimes resort to this method to break up play, slow the opposition’s momentum, or simply ensure defensive stability for the final whistle.
However, the timing sparked debate among supporters, with some feeling that the substitution disrupted the rhythm unnecessarily, while others argued that it was a clever ploy to waste precious seconds and secure the result. It is not uncommon in high-pressure matches for managers to employ such last-gasp changes as a way of controlling nerves and resetting the team’s shape.
Ultimately, whether or not Mosquera’s introduction had a tangible effect on the game is difficult to measure, but the incident highlighted the fine margins in football management. Every second counts in stoppage time, and Arteta’s decision demonstrated just how calculated managers can be in the dying moments of a tense encounter.
