Team news: Rice returns as one of three changes | Team news | News

Mikel Arteta has made three changes to his side for this evening’s Premier League clash with Brighton & Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium.

The boss has switched things around again having been in action just three days ago as we kicked off 2025 with a win against Brentford, and Declan Rice and Jorginho come into midfield, with Martin Odegaard dropping to the bench. The Italian captains the side.

Thomas Partey fills in at right-back for the suspended Jurrien Timber, while Leandro Trossard has been handed a chance to shine against his former club, with Gabriel Martinelli hoping to make his 200th appearance for the club off the bench.

Kai Havertz remains out with the illness that saw him sit out the win in west London three days ago, but Ethan Nwaneri is handed another league start after impressing against the Bees on New Year’s Day.

Meanwhile, Gabriel will feature in the Premier League for the 150th time.

Brighton meanwhile have made three changes from the side that drew 2-2 with Aston Villa last time out. Skipper Lewis Dunk misses out, with Igor Julio expected to move to centre-back, and the returning Pervis Estupinan slotting in at left-back.

On the other side of defence, Joel Veltman replaces Tariq Lamptey at right-back, while Matt O’Reilly is preferred to Julio Enciso in midfield.

Line ups

Arsenal: Raya, Partey, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Jorginho, Rice, Merino, Nwaneri, Trossard, Jesus.
Subs: Neto, Tierney, Lewis-Skelly, Zinchenko, Kiwior, Odegaard, Kabia, Butler-Oyedeji, Martinelli.

Brighton: Verbruggen, Veltman, van Hecke, Igor, Estupinan, Baleba, Ayari, Gruda, O'Reilly, Adingra, Joao Pedro.
Subs: Steele, Lamptey, Webster, Moder, March, Enciso, Minteh, Mitoma, Rutter.

Ahead of kick-off, get prepared with all the need-to-know stats, a guide to Brighton’s tactics, how to watch the game live on TV and much more in our match preview