Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta reports on injury to key player

2026-03-04 04:23

Arsenal are about to face Brighton away in the Premier League. Ahead of the match, manager Mikel Arteta provided a detailed update on the team's current injury situation and preparation status.

The physical condition of the team's three key players—Kay Havertz, Declan Rice, and Martin Ødegaard—has become the focus of attention.

Arteta revealed that Havertz, who returned to the squad in last weekend's London derby victory against Chelsea, has already participated in some team training. However, whether he will make his first appearance since recovering from injury against Brighton will depend on the final physical assessment before the match.

Reis, who was forced to leave the game in the second half due to a serious injury, is recovering well, and Arteta is optimistic that he will be fit for Wednesday's match. In addition, captain Odegaard is actively seeking a place in the match squad, and the coaching staff will closely monitor his physical response when performing specific movements to ensure he is fit.

As for other players, goalkeeper David Raya and young talent Max Dawman have both fully recovered and are ready to play. However, defender Ben White is confirmed to miss the match against his former club Brighton.

Arteta also specifically mentioned Martin Zuweimendi, the new midfield signing who is making his debut for Arsenal. Despite his outstanding performances, the coaching staff must begin to carefully manage his physical condition in the face of the demands of playing on multiple fronts.

Finally, Arteta emphasized the severity of managing the team's physical load under the current extremely dense schedule. With domestic and continental club competitions, international breaks, and the upcoming World Cup, Arsenal's internationals are destined to break all previous records for playing time.

Image source: Internet/Arsenal official website