Overview
- Mikel Arteta told reporters on Friday that Ben White, Jurrien Timber, Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie are optimistic to be available pending a final training session, a development that would ease Arsenal’s recent defensive shortage.
- Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler confirmed Femi Azeez will not be available until after the international break while Jaouen Hadjam and Luka Vuskovic are fit to play, leaving Hurzeler with a mostly available attacking core.
- Both teams arrive in form with Arsenal unbeaten and chasing an extended winning run and Brighton the Premier League’s highest scorers after four matches, having produced a 5-0 win over Coventry and a 3-2 Carabao Cup comeback at Old Trafford.
- Arteta said the earlier touchline spat with Hurzeler is 'all done' while Hurzeler has stood by his past criticisms, making the managers’ public remarks a subplot but not the primary match issue.
- Final team sheets will be decided after Friday’s training session and will shape tactical choices, with Arsenal’s recovered defenders offering more stability and Brighton’s rotation and scoring depth creating immediate pressure on that recovery.