Jurrien Timber is missing from Arsenal's squad to take on Brighton, despite being pictured arriving at the Emirates with his team-mates ahead of the 3pm kick-off
BURNLEY, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 01: Declan Rice of Arsenal celebrates to the fans following victory in the Premier League match between Burnley and Arsenal at Turf Moor on November 01, 2025 in Burnley, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Declan Rice is set for a change of position(Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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Declan Rice is set to line up in defence for Arsenal after Jurrien Timber was left out of their squad to face Brighton at the last minute. Timber, 24, was pictured arriving at the Emirates after lunchtime on Saturday.
But the Dutchman was conspicuous by his absence when team news was confirmed ahead of the 3pm kick-off. It means that Arsenal are without a recognised right-back for the game.
Mikel Arteta named three defenders in his starting XI: William Saliba, Piero Hincapie and Riccardo Calafiori. Both Hincapie and Calafiori have played as full-backs but are left-footed.
Asked why Timber was absent pre-match, Arteta said: "We missed him because in the last part of the game he felt something and he could not carry on so he's out."
Rice's only experience at right-back was 11 minutes playing there for West Ham in 2017. Another midfielder who fans have theorised could play in the role is Martin Zubimendi, although he hasn't played there before.
As a youngster, Rice was a central defender. The 26-year-old has since transitioned into one of the Premier League's best midfielders and Arteta will be reluctant to lose his dynamism.
There is one boost for the Gunners, as Gabriel Magalhaes - another left-footed centre-back - has returned from a six-week injury layoff to make the bench. Arteta said in his pre-match press conference that Gabriel hadn't trained.
"We have to wait and see," the Gunners boss explained. "He hasn't trained yet, so he's still doing his rehab. But hopefully as quickly as possible [he can be back], because we know the situation now we have in the backline."
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 27: Jurrien Timber of Arsenal arrives prior to the Premier League match between Arsenal and Brighton & Hove Albion at the Emirates Stadium on December 27, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Jurrien Timber was seen arriving at the Emirates(Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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Arteta is braced for a tough challenge against Brighton, who Arsenal only drew 1-1 with at home last season. "It's a club that I admire a lot and what they've done over the last 10 years is incredible," he added.
"They have different managers and now Fabian [Hurzeler] has come in and brought some very different ideas as well. A lot of energy, a really, really committed team and look very, very together.
"A lot of quality. They can play in different ways. They have versatile players. So it's going to be a tough match."
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