Arsenal have three weeks to recover from their Premier League defeat at Brighton and some of their stars are away with their national teams
Arsenal's English midfielder #41 Declan Rice reacts during the English Premier League football match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Arsenal at the American Express Community Stadium in Brighton, southern England on September 19, 2026. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /
Arsenal's English midfielder #41 Declan Rice reacts during the English Premier League football match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Arsenal at the American Express Community Stadium in Brighton, southern England on September 19, 2026. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /
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Arsenal will go into the international break sitting three points off the Premier League summit, having lost for the first time this season. A 3-0 reverse at Brighton leaves them second behind leaders Manchester City, with the Seagulls now just two points behind in third.
The result on the south coast didn't tell the entire story. There was also a flashpoint involving Declan Rice, whose run-in with Malick Yalcouye has been the subject of debate since the final whistle.
Mikel Arteta will be able to work on the training ground with some of his squad members, while others head off to link up with their respective national teams. However, at the time of writing, two Gunners stars have already been ruled out of international action.
We've got updates for you on the Brighton fallout and on the international latest. Here's the latest from around the Emirates Stadium.
Rice right to avoid red
Alan Shearer believes Declan Rice was right to avoid a red card after a clash late on in the Brighton game and now former Premier League ref Dermot Gallagher has come to the same conclusion.. The England star kicked out at opponent Yalcouye during stoppage time and Shearer argued a yellow was sufficient.
"I think it's petulant," Gallagher said on Sky Sports' Ref Watch. "What you've got to remember is that it's got to be deemed violent conduct.
"Is that brutal or malicious? I think not. He runs a risk, there's no doubt about that. For me, that's not an act of violence. It's a very unwise thing to do, but the referee got it right."
Two out of international duty
England midfielder Rice and Ecuador defender Piero Hincapie will stay behind while some of their club colleagues head off on international duty. Both have been dealing with injury and fitness worries of late and are being given time to rest and return to full health.
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - JUNE 30: Piero Hincapié of Ecuador during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between Mexico and Group C/E/F/H/I Third Place at Mexico City Stadium on June 30, 2026 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by MB Media/Getty Images)
Piero Hincapie will sit out Ecuador's international games(Image: MB Media, Getty Images)
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Hincapie is one of three notable absentees from the Ecuador squad, alongside Chelsea's Moises Caicedo and Club Brugge's Joel Ordonez. According to reports from Ecuador, 'injuries and physical issues' are responsible for the trio's absence.
Ecuador face South Korea on 24 September in the opening match of three during this international break. This represents the players' initial opportunity to impress new manager Marcelo Gallardo, who succeeded Sebastian Beccacece following the World Cup, though Hincapie, Caicedo and Ordonez will wait a little longer for that opportunity.
As for Rice, football.london understands his withdrawal from the England squad relates to load management considerations. He is amongst five players to withdraw from Thomas Tuchel's squad at the time of writing, with the German boss calling up Morgan Gibbs-White and James Garner in their place.