Arsenal strategist Mikel Arteta has offered a comprehensive status report on his squad’s fitness as the Premier League leaders prepare for a high-stakes midweek encounter at the Amex Stadium this Wednesday. Addressing the press on Tuesday afternoon, the Spanish manager shared a series of optimistic updates regarding several key pillars of his starting eleven, though he stopped short of guaranteeing a full-strength lineup for the trip to the South Coast. Following the adrenaline of their recent 2-1 derby victory over Chelsea, the Gunners are working against a tight turnaround to ensure their primary assets are ready for action.
The most definitive news concerned goalkeeper David Raya, with Arteta confirming that the Spaniard is fully fit to reclaim his place between the posts. However, the situation remains more fluid regarding captain Martin Odegaard, whose absence was felt during the weekend’s festivities. Arteta appears to be adopting a wait-and-see approach with the Norwegian playmaker, prioritizing the player’s physical comfort before committing to his inclusion. In the defensive third, the squad will be boosted by the availability of young talent Dowman, though veteran fullback Ben White has been officially ruled out of contention for the Brighton fixture.
“David is good to go.”
The attacking and midfield sectors are also under heavy scrutiny. Kai Havertz has made a partial return to team activities, though his involvement on Wednesday remains subject to a final medical clearance. Similarly, the coaching staff is closely monitoring Declan Rice, who showed significant signs of improvement during Tuesday’s preparations. Given the congested schedule, Arteta noted that the lack of intensive training sessions has made these late fitness tests essential for determining the final matchday roster.
“He’s done part of the session, so we’ll have to wait and see.”
“Another one we’ll assess. We have to see how comfortable he feels.”
“I hope so. He was much better today. We haven’t really trained because we’ve only had two days to prepare, so hopefully he’ll be better tomorrow.”
As Arsenal enters this pivotal stretch of the 2025/26 campaign, the management of these minor knocks could prove decisive in their pursuit of the league title. With Manchester City lurking just five points behind, the availability of Rice and Odegaard remains the primary concern for the traveling supporters. Arteta’s cautious optimism suggests that while the squad is stretched, the medical team is working overtime to ensure the core of the team is available to face a resilient Brighton side.
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