Why Bukayo Saka is wearing a special Arsenal kit against Brighton in the Premier League | OneFootball

Saka also captains Gunners on landmark occasion

Bukayo Saka has a different look for Arsenal's vital Premier League showdown against Brighton.

In the reverse fixture earlier in the season, the Gunners ran out 2-1 winners thanks to a strike from Martin Odegaard and an Georginio Rutter own goal.

Mikel Arteta will know the importance of a win over Albion, particularly with Man City kicking off at home to Nottingham Forest at the same time, and has resisted making too many changes from the win over Chelsea at the weekend.

An ankle injury has ruled William Saliba out of the match. He has been replaced by Cristhian Mosquera, while former Brighton midfielder Leandro Trossard has made way for Gabriel Martinelli.

Saka, though, does start and captains the side in the absence of Odegaard and the Arsenal No7 will be wearing a different shirt against Brighton.

Why is Bukayo Saka wearing a special shirt against Brighton?

To mark his 300th first team appearance for Arsenal, Saka has that exact number engraved into the back of his matchday shirt.

Bukayo Saka starts for Arsenal against Brighton

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

An Arsenal statement reads: “Bukayo Saka captains the team in the absence of Martin Odegaard, and makes his 300th first team appearance for us.

“He becomes the 52nd men’s player in our history to reach the milestone, across all competitions, after making his debut as a 17 year old back in November 2018.”

Saka ended his long goal drought in the Premier League by scoring after five minutes in the 2-2 draw with Wolves last month, but failed to net in back-to-back games against Tottenham and Chelsea.