Arsenal have suffered their latest defensive injury blow after Mikel Arteta confirmed William Saliba’s absence from their squad at Brighton was due to a fresh ankle problem.
Saliba was a notable omission from a starting line-up that included main injury concern Declan Rice, who had picked up a knock against Chelsea last time out.
The French defender was also not present on the Gunners bench, with Arteta telling Sky Sports ahead of kick-off: “He turned his ankle against Chelsea. He managed to finish the game somehow, but he was too sore to play today.”
Cristhian Mosquera filled in for Saliba at centre-back alongside Gabriel, entrusted by Arteta in his role as defensive deputy.
“He’s been great,” Arteta added. “Obviously Wilo (Saliba) is in the partnership that we normally play, but Cristhian’s showed that we can fully trust him.”
Premier League leaders Arsenal have been plagued by injuries this season, with both Saliba and Gabriel spending significant spells on the sidelines, along with the likes of Riccardo Calafiori and Ben White.
So far, however, these defensive woes have not derailed their title charge, going to Brighton five points clear of closest challengers Manchester City, who have a game in hand.
Arteta insisted he was not underestimating the challenge of the Seagulls, saying: “Brighton are a team that really stretches you. They are so comfortable on the ball.
“They do their processes in the first phase so well, they are so comfortable and they have very good players as well. So we know that for every team, when you play Brighton, it's going to be a really tough night.”
