Arsenal Starting XI vs Brighton: Confirmed Team news and Predicted Lineup | OneFootball

Arsenal predicted lineup for Carabao Cup clash against Brighton

Injuries force Arteta to rethink Carabao Cup plans

Arsenal face Brighton in the Carabao Cup fourth round tonight, but manager Mikel Arteta will have to navigate a mounting injury list that has disrupted his preparations. The 1-0 win over Crystal Palace on Sunday came at a cost, with William Saliba and Gabriel Martinelli both sidelined after picking up injuries at Selhurst Park.

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Saliba was withdrawn at half-time, while Martinelli completed the match but was seen limping heavily after the final whistle. Arteta confirmed both will miss the Brighton tie and admitted uncertainty over their recovery. “We are assessing him, but he won’t be involved this match,” said Arteta of Saliba. “It looks as well that Martinelli is going to be out. We have to, again, do some more tests and see the extent of the injury. But this game is going to be too early for him.”

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Fitness boosts provide balance

There was positive news for Arsenal supporters as Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice and Riccardo Calafiori were all passed fit to play. Saka had been ill before the Palace match and was substituted in the second half, while both Rice and Calafiori were taken off late on due to minor knocks.

Their availability gives Arteta greater flexibility as he plans his predicted lineup for the Carabao Cup fixture. However, rotation is expected, with several fringe and academy players in line for valuable minutes.

Youth opportunity and expected rotation

Kepa Arrizabalaga is set to start in goal for just his second appearance of the campaign. In defence, Ben White, Cristhian Mosquera and Myles Lewis-Skelly could feature, while Piero Hincapie is in line for a potential full debut.

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Midfield is expected to see youthful energy, with Ethan Nwaneri and Christian Norgaard likely to play alongside more experienced figures. Up front, Mikel Merino could lead the attack should Viktor Gyokeres be rested, and Max Dowman, the 15-year-old prodigy, could earn a place in the matchday squad.

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Predicted Arsenal lineup for Brighton

Predicted Arsenal XI (4-3-3): Arrizabalaga; White, Mosquera, Hincapie, Lewis-Skelly; Nwaneri, Norgaard, Eze; Saka, Merino, Trossard

Injured: Havertz (knee), Jesus (knee), Madueke (knee), Martinelli (thigh), Odegaard (knee), Saliba

With Arsenal fighting on multiple fronts, Arteta’s focus will be on maintaining intensity while giving emerging talents an opportunity to impress. The Carabao Cup, once a testing ground, has become a platform for Arteta to blend youth, resilience, and depth — the hallmarks of a squad ready to compete on every stage.