Jurrien Timber received his fifth yellow card of the season during Arsenal’s 3-1 victory over Brentford, ruling him out of the upcoming match against Brighton due to suspension.

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Timber’s absence poses a significant challenge, as Arsenal currently lacks a fully fit right-back. Injuries to Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu have already stretched the squad, leaving Thomas Partey and Riccardo Calafiori as potential makeshift options in the position.

On a positive note, Arsenal will welcome Kai Havertz back for the Brighton clash. The German international missed the Brentford game due to illness, part of a wave of sickness that affected several squad members at the start of the year.

Manager Mikel Arteta explained the situation: “The illness impacted players both on and off the pitch. It wasn’t serious, but it disrupted preparations. Havertz was the most affected, showing significant symptoms. We had to isolate him and send him back to London immediately.”

Arteta also shared his approach to dealing with such challenges: “During this period, viruses are inevitable. That’s why I announce the starting lineup as late as possible to manage unexpected changes.”

Despite missing key players, Arsenal’s win over Brentford narrowed Liverpool’s lead at the top of the table to six points. However, Liverpool still have a game in hand, keeping their advantage intact.