Arsenal face a significant test of their squad depth when they visit Brighton on Saturday, with three first-choice defenders ruled out through injury. The Premier League leaders will be without William Saliba, Ben White and Piero Hincapié for the trip to the Amex Stadium.
Mikel Arteta's side sit top of the table with a perfect record of four wins from four games, having scored eight goals and conceded just one. Their last outing was a 4-2 victory at Ipswich, where Max Dowman scored twice.
The defensive absences are a major concern. Saliba is sidelined with a back issue and is not expected back until late October. White is nursing a groin injury with a late-September return date, while Hincapié is out with a muscle problem until the start of October. This likely means a continued run in the side for the partnership of Gabriel Magalhães and Myles Lewis-Skelly, who started the win at Portman Road.
Brighton, currently fifth, present a formidable challenge. Roberto De Zerbi's team are coming off a 3-2 away win at Manchester United last weekend and have won four of their last five matches in all competitions. Their attack, featuring the likes of Matt O'Riley and Carlos Kostoulas, will test Arsenal's patched-up back line.
Despite the injury issues, Arsenal's form is impeccable. They are on a five-match winning streak across all competitions, with victories over Chelsea, Aston Villa and Napoli in that run. The team's ability to grind out results, evidenced by 1-0 wins at Napoli and Villa Park, will be vital again this weekend. For a detailed look at the squad handling this period, visit our squad section.
Arteta will need to find the right balance to maintain their 100% start against a Brighton side known for their aggressive, possession-based style. The match kicks off at 3pm UK time on Saturday, 19 September.
