Arsenal go into the international break with a problem and a bit of relief. The problem is obvious, Brighton beat them 3-0, ended the seven-match winning start and did it by being sharper, stronger and better organised. The relief is that the break has landed at a useful time, because Mikel Arteta may get defenders back before the fixture list tightens again.
There is no point dressing up the performance at the Amex. Arsenal were second best. They lost duels, lost control and looked short in key defensive areas once the game got away from them. That matters, because the injuries are concentrated at the back and the margin for error shrinks quickly when the schedule hardens.
The next league game is at home to Leeds on October 10. By then, Arsenal will hope that Ben White and Cristhian Mosquera are available, while William Saliba remains a longer-term case.
Ben White latest on Arsenal return
White has been out since suffering a groin problem in the 2-0 win over Sunderland on September 12. He then missed the cup tie against Ipswich and was absent again for the Brighton defeat, despite some optimism before kick-off.
Photo IMAGO
Arteta had said, “Ben is all good, we have another training session this afternoon, so very positive about everybody,” but White did not make the squad. That left Arsenal improvising, with Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi sharing right-back duties after Jurrien Timber went off in the second half.
That is the sort of workaround you accept for one match, not a run of them. White’s likely return after the break would bring some order back to the defensive structure and reduce the need for square pegs in awkward places. Based on the noises around his condition, Leeds looks realistic.
Potential return date: October 10 vs Leeds.
Cristhian Mosquera recovery picture
Mosquera has missed Arsenal’s last five matches in all competitions after going off in the 1-0 win over Aston Villa on August 31. He was seen in his tracksuit before the Brighton…
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