Mikel Arteta on Managing Injuries and Squad Rotation

Arsenal's Arteta on squad depth and injury challenges

Mikel Arteta opens up on the challenges of managing Arsenal's squad, including injuries and player rotation, ahead of the League Cup match against Brighton.

Saliba's absence will be a significant blow to Arsenal's defense, while Martinelli's injury will rule him out of...

Arsenal's injury situation has seen some positive developments, with midfielder Declan Rice and defender Riccardo Calafiori deemed fit to play against Brighton after picking up knocks during the Crystal Palace match. Winger Bukayo Saka, who was substituted out against Palace due to illness, is also available for selection.

Regarding William Saliba's injury, Mikel Arteta confirmed that the defender won't be featuring against Brighton. “He is out. We are assessing him but he won't be involved in this match,” Arteta told reporters, without providing a specific timeline for Saliba's return.

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Arsenal's manager Mikel Arteta confirmed that William Saliba and Gabriel Martinelli will miss tonight's League Cup match against Brighton & Hove Albion due to injuries. Saliba, a key figure in Arsenal's defense, was substituted at halftime in Sunday's game against Crystal Palace, while Martinelli, the Brazilian winger, limped off the pitch after the final whistle in the same game.

Saliba's absence will be a significant blow to Arsenal's defense, while Martinelli's injury will rule him out of the starting lineup for tonight's match. Both players' injuries will likely impact Arsenal's chances in the League Cup, and Arteta will need to find suitable replacements to fill their positions.

Discussing Martinelli's condition, Arteta said: “It looks as though he's going to be out. We have to do some more tests to see the extent of the injury, but this game will be too early for him.

Arsenal tops the Premier League standings with 22 points from nine matches, showcasing their impressive squad depth amidst ongoing injuries. The team has bolstered their roster with significant summer signings, including striker Viktor Gyokeres, winger Noni Madueke, attacking midfielder Eberechi Eze, and defender Cristhian Mosquera, enhancing their attacking prowess and defensive capabilities.

"Gabby (Gabriel Jesus) out, Kai (Havertz) out, Martinelli and Noni (Madueke) out. We have to be more careful as we don't have many options,” Arteta added.

Arsenal, a two-time League Cup winner with their last title in 1993, is set to host Brighton & Hove Albion at the Emirates Stadium tonight. The match, scheduled for 8:45 PM WAT, will see Arsenal aiming to build on their impressive start to the season.