Mikel Arteta reveals the reasons behind benching Martin Ødegaard and Gabriel Martinelli for the match against Brighton

Mikel Arteta’s decision to leave two of his most important players, Martin Ødegaard and Gabriel Martinelli, out of his starting lineup for Arsenal’s match against Brighton was met with curiosity from fans and pundits alike. As Arsenal traveled to the south coast for a crucial match against Brighton, Arteta’s choices raised questions about his tactical decisions and player fitness, particularly given that the Gunners were aiming to strengthen their position in second place in the Premier League.

The importance of this fixture was not lost on anyone at Arsenal. The team had been in solid form, winning their last three matches—against Brentford, Ipswich Town, and Crystal Palace—and had hopes of maintaining that momentum. However, Arsenal was not at full strength. The Gunners were already missing Jurrien Timber, who had been a regular presence in defense but was serving a suspension following his fifth yellow card against Brentford. This was a notable absence, as Timber had been integral to Arsenal’s defensive setup, and his suspension left a hole in Arteta’s backline.

Despite the absence of Timber, the exclusion of Ødegaard and Martinelli from the starting XI was a surprise. Both players had been vital to Arsenal’s success this season, and their omission was a significant talking point. Ødegaard, Arsenal’s captain, had been a central figure in midfield, orchestrating the play and providing crucial assists. Arteta explained that Ødegaard had been struggling with an illness in the days leading up to the match. The Norwegian had been involved in every match this season, but the illness had left him feeling less than 100%, and Arteta opted to rest him to avoid pushing him too hard.

Martinelli’s absence from the starting lineup was equally puzzling. The Brazilian winger had been in excellent form, even scoring in Arsenal’s 3-1 victory over Brentford in their previous match. However, Arteta revealed that Martinelli had been dealing with a minor injury during the week. While the injury was not deemed serious, Arteta decided to take a precautionary approach by naming Martinelli as a substitute for the match against Brighton. It was the third time this season that Martinelli had started a match from the bench, and Arteta’s decision was clearly based on ensuring the long-term fitness of the young forward.

In addition to the absence of Ødegaard and Martinelli, there was another surprise in Arteta’s squad selection: Kai Havertz was excluded entirely. Havertz, who had been a regular starter since his move to Arsenal, did not feature in the matchday squad, which prompted further questions. Arteta did not elaborate on Havertz’s absence but hinted that the decision was tactical. The German midfielder has struggled to find his best form at Arsenal, and Arteta may have seen this as an opportunity to give him a rest, or perhaps to adjust his tactical setup for the match against Brighton.

The decision to leave Ødegaard and Martinelli out of the starting lineup meant that Arteta had to turn to other players to fill the attacking roles. With Ødegaard unavailable, young Ethan Nwaneri was handed a start in midfield. Nwaneri, who had impressed with his performances earlier in the season, was given the opportunity to showcase his talent in a Premier League match, marking a significant step in his development at Arsenal. Alongside Nwaneri, Gabriel Jesus and Leandro Trossard started in attack, with both players tasked with creating and finishing chances in the absence of Arsenal’s usual key playmakers.

Bukayo Saka’s absence from the squad added another layer of difficulty for Arteta. Saka, one of Arsenal’s most influential players, remained sidelined with a hamstring injury. The injury had kept Saka out for several weeks, and the prognosis suggested that he could be out for up to two months. Saka’s absence left a void in Arsenal’s attacking lineup, and Arteta had to rely on other players to step up and fill the gap. Without Saka’s creativity and flair, Arsenal’s attack lacked its usual spark, and Arteta had to adjust his tactics to compensate for this loss.

Despite these challenges, Arteta’s approach reflected the strength and depth of the squad that he has built at Arsenal. The manager has made a habit of rotating his squad throughout the season, keeping his players fresh and ready for the demanding fixtures that lie ahead. This approach has been crucial for Arsenal, especially in a season where injuries and suspensions are inevitable. Arteta’s ability to make tactical decisions and manage his squad effectively has been one of the key reasons for Arsenal’s continued success this season.

The match against Brighton was also a rematch of the controversial 1-1 draw from five months earlier. In that game, Arsenal had been leading 1-0 thanks to a goal from Kai Havertz, but the match took a turn when Declan Rice was sent off for a second yellow card after delaying the restart. Brighton capitalized on the situation, and Joao Pedro’s penalty ensured the match ended in a draw. Arsenal were left frustrated by the result, and they were determined to avoid another slip-up against Brighton in this fixture.

With Ødegaard, Martinelli, and Saka all unavailable, Arsenal’s attack was missing some of its key components. However, Arteta’s faith in his squad was evident as he turned to the likes of Nwaneri, Trossard, and Jesus to drive the team forward. The young Nwaneri, in particular, was given a chance to prove himself on the big stage, and his performance would be a crucial factor in whether Arsenal could secure all three points.

The first half of the match saw Arsenal struggle to break down Brighton’s defense, with the home side putting up a strong resistance. Brighton had their own attacking threats, and Arsenal’s defense, without Timber, was tested at times. Despite the pressure, Arsenal continued to push forward, creating chances but failing to convert them. As the match wore on, Arteta made several changes, including introducing Martinelli in the second half to provide fresh energy in attack.

The second half saw Arsenal grow more into the game, with the introduction of Martinelli bringing more creativity and pace to the attack. However, despite some bright moments, the Gunners were unable to break through Brighton’s defense, and the match ended in a frustrating 0-0 draw. Although Arsenal had dominated possession and created several opportunities, they were unable to find the back of the net, leaving them disappointed with the result.

Arteta’s decision to rotate his squad and rest key players like Ødegaard and Martinelli ultimately did not yield the desired result. While the Gunners had a solid performance in terms of possession and control, they lacked the clinical finishing that Ødegaard and Martinelli usually bring. Despite the draw, Arsenal remain in a strong position in the league, but Arteta will be keen to ensure that his squad is fully fit and firing for the upcoming matches.

As the season progresses, Arteta will continue to face the challenge of balancing player fitness and rotation with the need to secure vital points. The injuries to Ødegaard, Martinelli, and Saka have tested the depth of Arsenal’s squad, but Arteta’s tactical approach has ensured that the team has remained competitive. With key players expected to return soon, Arsenal fans will be hopeful that their team can bounce back from this disappointing draw and continue their pursuit of a top-four finish.

Looking ahead, Arteta’s squad rotation will be crucial in maintaining the energy and freshness needed to succeed in both the Premier League and other competitions. With a busy fixture schedule ahead, the ability to rely on the depth of the squad will be more important than ever. As Ødegaard, Martinelli, and Saka recover from their injuries, Arteta will need to carefully manage their return to ensure that they are back to their best when needed most.

Arsenal’s depth and tactical flexibility will be key to their success this season. Although the draw against Brighton was a setback, Arteta’s decisions to rotate the squad and rest key players show that he is thinking long-term. As the Gunners continue their pursuit of glory, they will need to remain focused and adaptable to ensure they stay in the hunt for the top spots in the Premier League.