Arsenal Face Brighton at Amex Stadium Without William Saliba Due to Ankle Injury

TL;DR

• Arsenal defender William Saliba is absent from the squad due to a turned ankle.
• Cristhian Mosquera starts in central defence alongside Gabriel Magalhaes.
• Bukayo Saka captains the side on his 300th appearance for the club.
• Arsenal aim to extend their lead over Manchester City in the Premier League title race.

What Happened

On March 4, 2026, Arsenal arrived at Brighton for a Matchweek 29 Premier League fixture. Prior to kick-off, manager Mikel Arteta confirmed that William Saliba would miss the match due to an ankle injury sustained during the 2-1 victory over Chelsea on March 1. Although Saliba completed the full 90 minutes in that previous game, subsequent soreness rendered him unavailable for the trip to the south coast. In his absence, 21-year-old defender Cristhian Mosquera was selected to start in the backline. Additionally, Bukayo Saka was named captain for the evening, marking a personal milestone of 300 first-team appearances for Arsenal.

Key Developments

Mikel Arteta provided a pre-match update stating that Saliba’s omission was a precautionary measure to prevent further damage. While Saliba is sidelined, midfielder Declan Rice was passed fit to start despite having been a doubt following a knock against Chelsea. Martin Odegaard, Mikel Merino, and Ben White remain unavailable for selection due to existing injuries. Brighton manager Fabian Hürzeler made three changes to his starting eleven, introducing Georginio Rutter, Carlos Baleba, and Olivier Boscagli to the lineup that previously defeated Nottingham Forest.

Why This Matters

Arsenal entered this fixture with a five-point advantage over second-placed Manchester City, who have a game in hand. The loss of Saliba, who has made 34 appearances this season, tests the depth of the Arsenal squad during a congested period of the campaign. For Brighton, the match represents a chance to climb into the top half of the table following a recent run of two consecutive league victories.

What Happens Next

Arsenal are expected to reassess Saliba's fitness ahead of their FA Cup fifth-round tie against Mansfield Town on Saturday, March 7. The club's medical staff aims to have the defender available for the Champions League round-of-16 first leg against Bayer Leverkusen on March 11. Brighton will continue their league campaign as they seek to solidify a position in the top ten.

FAQ

Why is William Saliba not playing against Brighton?

William Saliba is missing the match due to an ankle injury sustained against Chelsea on March 1, 2026. Manager Mikel Arteta confirmed the defender was too sore to participate in the Brighton fixture.

Who replaced Saliba in the Arsenal starting lineup?

Cristhian Mosquera was selected to start at centre-back alongside Gabriel Magalhaes. This match marks Mosquera's 22nd appearance of the 2025/26 season.

Is Declan Rice playing in the Brighton vs Arsenal match?

Yes, Declan Rice was passed fit to start in midfield for Arsenal on March 4, 2026. He had previously been considered a doubt after picking up a knock against Chelsea.

What milestone did Bukayo Saka reach today?

Bukayo Saka made his 300th appearance for Arsenal in all competitions during the match at the Amex Stadium. He also served as the team captain for the fixture.

Where can I watch Brighton vs Arsenal in the UK?

The match is being broadcast live on TV and is available for streaming via official Premier League rights holders in the United Kingdom. Kick-off was scheduled for 7:30 PM GMT on March 4, 2026.