Kai Havertz is not in the Arsenal matchday squad for today’s Premier League clash with Brighton.
The versatile German international missed Arsenal’s 3-1 win over Brentford on New Year’s Day due to illness, but despite returning to training, has not been handed an immediate recall.
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The Gunners are also without Jurrien Timber after he picked up a fifth yellow card of the season during the victory at Brentford.
As a result, Thomas Partey is asked to fill in at right-back once again and that means Jorginho comes in at the base of the midfield and the Italian captains the side in the absence of Martin Odegaard who drops down to the bench.
Declan Rice is back in the side and Ethan Nwaneri retains his place in attack after his fine performance at Brentford.
The game has come too early for Raheem Sterling, with defenders Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu still sidelined along with Bukayo Saka.
Arsenal XI: Raya, Partey, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Jorginho, Rice, Merino, Nwaneri, Trossard, Jesus.
Subs: Neto, Tierney, Lewis-Skelly, Zinchenko, Kiwior, Odegaard, Kabia, Butler-Oyedeji, Martinelli.
