Overview
- Reports on Thursday say Mikel Arteta plans up to nine changes to his starting XI for the away Premier League match at the Amex Stadium with David Raya expected to return in goal and Jurrien Timber likely to start.
- Arsenal face defensive uncertainty because William Saliba remains out long term with a World Cup back injury and Cristhian Mosquera, Ben White and Piero Hincapie are all described as doubtful or sidelined with muscular or groin problems.
- The changes aim to protect players’ fitness after a busy schedule that has included the Carabao Cup and recent away games, and to manage the risk of recurring injuries to key defenders.
- The selection move comes while Arsenal sit unbeaten with seven straight wins this season, so Arteta must balance maintaining momentum with rotating his squad.
- Brighton are in strong scoring form, which raises the tactical test for a rotated Arsenal side and could determine whether rotation becomes a model for handling the congested fixture run.