{"id":18569,"date":"2025-12-27T20:10:51","date_gmt":"2025-12-27T20:10:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2025\/12\/27\/arsenal-explain-why-declan-rice-was-forced-to-be-substituted-and-mikel-arteta-was-absent\/"},"modified":"2025-12-27T20:10:51","modified_gmt":"2025-12-27T20:10:51","slug":"arsenal-explain-why-declan-rice-was-forced-to-be-substituted-and-mikel-arteta-was-absent","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2025\/12\/27\/arsenal-explain-why-declan-rice-was-forced-to-be-substituted-and-mikel-arteta-was-absent\/","title":{"rendered":"Arsenal explain why Declan Rice was forced to be substituted and Mikel Arteta was absent"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Julian Timber was pictured arriving at the Emirates with his team-mates ahead of kick-off at 3pm, but he will not be included in Arsenal’s squad for the game against Brighton.<\/h2>\n
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December 27, 2025, 14:22<\/span>Updated December 27, 2025 14:30<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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\n<\/figure>\n<\/div><\/span>Declan Rice to change position<\/span>(Image: Stuart McFarlane\/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n
Declan Rice will be lined up in defense for Arsenal after Julian Timber was left out of the squad for the game against Brighton at the last minute. Timber, 24, was photographed arriving at an Emirates flight after lunch on Saturday.<\/p>\n
However, the Dutchman’s absence was noticeable when team news was confirmed ahead of the 3pm kick-off. That means Arsenal are without a qualified right-back for this match.<\/p>\n
Mikel Arteta named three defenders in his starting XI: William Saliba, Piero Hincapie and Riccardo Calafioli. Hincapie and Calafioli play as fullbacks, but are left-handed.<\/p>\n
Asked before the game why Timber was absent, Arteta said: “We missed him because he felt something towards the end of the game and couldn’t carry on and was out.”<\/p>\n
Rice’s only experience as a right-back was in 2017, when he played 11 minutes for West Ham. Another midfielder that fans have theorized could play this role is Martin Zvimendi, although he has never played there before.<\/p>\n
read more: Josep Guardiola sends Premier League title message to Arsenal: ‘We’re not there’<\/span><\/span>read more: Arsenal prioritize January transfer following Antoine Semenyo’s absence<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
In his youth, Rice was a central defender. The 26-year-old has since transformed into one of the Premier League’s best midfielders and Arteta will not want to lose his dynamism.<\/p>\n
The Gunners have received a further boost with fellow left-footed centre-back Gabriel Magalh\u00e3es joining the bench after returning from a six-week injury layoff. Manager Arteta said in his pre-match press conference that Gabriel was not training.<\/p>\n
“We’ll have to wait and see,” the Gunners manager explained. “He hasn’t trained yet so he’s still rehabbing. But I hope (to be back) as soon as possible because we know where the backline is now.”<\/p>\n
What will the score be for Arsenal vs. Brighton? Let us know your predictions in the comments section.<\/p>\n
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\n<\/figure>\n<\/div><\/span>Julian Timber was spotted arriving on Emirates Airlines<\/span>(Image: Stuart McFarlane\/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Arteta is preparing for a tough challenge against Brighton, whom Arsenal only drew 1-1 at home last season. “It’s a club that I have a lot of respect for and what they’ve achieved over the last 10 years is incredible,” he added.<\/p>\n
“They’ve had different coaches and now Fabian[H\u00fcrzeler]has come in and brings very different ideas as well. There’s a lot of energy, a really, really committed team and it looks very, very united.”<\/p>\n
“They have a lot of quality. They can play in different ways. They have versatile players. So it will be a tough game.”<\/p>\n
Arsenal XI: Raya, Saliba, Hincapie, Calafioli, Zubimendi, Rais, Merino, Odegaard, Saka, Trossard, Gokeres.<\/p>\n
Substitutes: Kepa, Jesus, Eze, Martinelli, Norgaard, Maduke, Nwaneri, Luis Skelly.<\/p>\n
Brighton 11th: Verbruggen, Kadioglu, Van Hecke, Dunk, De Kuiper, Hinshelwood, Coppola, Gruda, Ayali, Gomez, Rutter<\/p>\n
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