Arteta Confirms Double Injury Blow as Arsenal Face Brighton in Carabao Cup Clash

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that key duo William Saliba and Gabriel Martinelli will miss the Gunners’ Carabao Cup fourth-round clash against Brighton, dealing a significant setback to the North London side.

Both players suffered injuries during Arsenal’s narrow 1-0 Premier League victory over Crystal Palace, and the club’s medical team is still conducting further assessments to determine the extent of the damage.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Arteta expressed concern but remained cautious about timelines.

“He [Saliba] is out for Brighton,” Arteta said. “We are assessing him, but he won’t be involved in this match.”

On Martinelli, the Spaniard added: “It looks as though he’s going to be out. We have to do some more tests to see the extent of the injury, but this game will be too early for him.”

However, Arteta delivered some relief to fans, confirming that Declan Rice, Riccardo Calafiori, and Bukayo Saka, who also picked up minor knocks in the Palace game, are fit and available for selection.

💭 Opinion: Arsenal’s Depth Faces Its First True Test

Injuries are an inevitable part of football — but for Arsenal, this couldn’t come at a trickier time. Losing Saliba, the cornerstone of their defense, and Martinelli, one of their most explosive attackers, is a major blow, especially with the team juggling multiple competitions.

Arteta has built a side defined by intensity, structure, and fluid attack, but this situation will now test the depth and versatility of his squad. The likes of Jakub Kiwior, Reiss Nelson, and Emile Smith Rowe could have a golden opportunity to prove their worth.

For fans, this is also where they’ll see just how far Arteta’s project has come — not just in style, but in resilience.

If Arsenal can power past Brighton despite these absences, it will send a strong message that they are no longer a team dependent on individual brilliance, but one built on collective strength and adaptability.

✨ Final Thought:
Injuries may dim Arsenal’s firepower momentarily, but the Gunners’ biggest weapon this season has been belief. And if Arteta can keep that spirit alive, the Carabao Cup could yet become another statement of intent in their growing journey toward silverware.