Arsenal face Brighton in the Premier League this evening, with Mikel Arteta making big decisions on Declan Rice and William Saliba
18:16, 04 Mar 2026Updated 18:36, 04 Mar 2026
Mikel Arteta has made big decisions on Declan Rice and William Saliba for Brighton vs Arsenal
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Mikel Arteta has made big decisions on Declan Rice and William Saliba for Brighton vs Arsenal(Image: (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images))
Mikel Arteta has named Declan Rice in his Arsenal starting XI to face Brighton but William Saliba has been left out of the squad. Cristhian Mosquera coming in for the Frenchman is one of two changes with Gabriel Martinelli also replacing Leandro Trossard.
Saliba's absence comes as quite the surprise despite his absence from the squad against Brentford last month due to illness. While no Saliba is a blow, Rice featuring comes as big plus for Arteta after he was forced off against Chelsea last Sunday.
After the 2-1 win, Arteta said: "Declan asked to be substituted so he is going to have to get checked and see if he is available for Wednesday, unfortunately."
When asked if he was OK in his press conference on Tuesday afternoon, Arteta stated: "I hope so. He was much better today.
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"Obviously, we haven't really trained because we have only two days to prepare for the game, so hopefully he's going to be better tomorrow."
Arteta's promising update earlier this week was proven to be the case with Rice in midfield alongside Martin Zubimendi and Eberechi Eze again.
That has resulted in Kai Havertz being named on the bench again with Martin Odegaard still absent from the squad due to a knee issue.
Alongside Rice being available, there is another injury boost for Arteta with Max Dowman back in the senior matchday squad. He played 45 minutes for the under-21s last Friday after nearly three months out because of an ankle injury.
Arsenal are looking for a third consecutive victory against the Seagulls this evening as the title race against Manchester City heats up.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta looks on
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Mikel Arteta's Arsenal are in a tense Premier League title race against Manchester City(Image: James Marsh/Shutterstock)
Pep Guardiola's side beat Leeds United on Saturday evening with Arsenal responding with a win of their own 24 hours later.
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City have also been handed an injury boost with Erling Haaland back in the starting XI after missing the weekend's victory, but Nico O'Reilly has been left out after picking up an ankle issue in that 1-0 victory at Elland Road.
Following their game week 29 matches, the two title rivals are in FA Cup fifth round action this weekend with Arsenal away at Mansfield Town and Man City making the trip to St James' Park to face Newcastle United.
Their Carabao Cup final at Wembley is two weeks on from the weekend with Champions League last-16 ties before then. Arsenal also host Everton while Man City face West Ham United at London Stadium.