Why William Saliba is OUT of Arsenal squad against Brighton today

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Evening Standard

·4 March 2026

Why William Saliba is OUT of Arsenal squad against Brighton today

Bad news for Arsenal ahead of kick-off at The Amex Stadium

William Saliba is not involved for Arsenal against Brighton this evening because of a minor ankle issue.

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Saliba scored the opener in Arsenal's 2-1 win over Chelsea at the weekend, but his absence from training on Wednesday raised concerns among supporters on social media.

Subsequently, the Frenchman has been left out of the matchday squad for the big Premier League match against Brighton, having picked up an ankle injury in that Chelsea victory.

It is not yet known whether Saliba will be available for Arsenal’s FA Cup fifth round tie away at Mansfield at the weekend, but he may have been rested anyway.

A statement via the Arsenal official website reads: “Saliba misses out after picking up an issue against Chelsea, so Mosquera starts alongside Gabriel in one of two changes from our win at the weekend.”

Discussing Saliba’s absence, Mikel Arteta said: "He turned his ankle against Chelsea. He managed to finish the game somehow, but he was too sore to play today.”

In Saliba’s place, Cristhian Mosquera comes into the heart of the Gunners’ defence, partnering Gabriel for his first Premier League start since the 1-1 draw against Brentford last month.

In total, Arteta has made two changes to the side that started the win over Chelsea.

Leandro Trossard, without a goal since scoring in the 4-1 win over Aston Villa at the end of December, makes way for Gabriel Martinelli on the left-hand side of Arsenal’s attack.

There is further good news for Arsenal as Declan Rice has shaken off a knock that forced him off in the second half against Chelsea to start in midfield.

However, captain Martin Odegaard remains sidelined as he is yet to make a full recovery from a knee injury that he has been nursing in recent weeks.