Carabao Cup blow for Arsenal as key pair ruled out of Brighton clash

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that centre back William Saliba and winger Gabriel Martinelli will be unavailable for the Carabao Cup fourth-round match against Brighton due to injuries sustained in the recent Premier League win over Crystal Palace. Saliba, a France international, was substituted at half-time in that game, while Martinelli limped off after the final whistle, with both players undergoing further assessments for their conditions.

In contrast, midfielder Declan Rice and defender Riccardo Calafiori, who also picked up knocks during the Palace match, have been cleared to play against Brighton. Additionally, winger Bukayo Saka, who was previously withdrawn due to illness, is now fit and available for selection, providing a boost to the squad.

Arteta provided specific updates on the injured players, stating that Saliba is definitely out for the Brighton fixture, though no timeline was given for his return. Regarding Martinelli, Arteta indicated that he is likely to miss the game as well, pending further tests to determine the extent of his injury, emphasizing that the match comes too soon for his recovery.

Despite these setbacks, Arsenal's squad depth is highlighted as a strength, with the team leading the Premier League standings with 22 points from nine matches. The club reinforced its roster during the close season with signings such as centre forward Viktor Gyokeres, attackers Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze, and defender Cristhian Mosquera, who replaced Saliba in the previous game, ensuring they can cope with the current injury issues.