Arteta Warns Arsenal Over Rice Repeat as Gunners Brace for Brighton Showdown

By Sodiq On Dec 27, 2025

Mikel Arteta has made it clear he doesn’t want history repeating itself when Arsenal face Brighton on Saturday, with the Gunners boss still annoyed about Declan Rice’s costly red card in this fixture last season. Arsenal are top of the Premier League, but only just, and any slip-up could hand the advantage straight to Manchester City.

The north London side head into the weekend two points clear of Pep Guardiola’s men, who play Nottingham Forest earlier in the day. By the time Arsenal kick off at the Emirates, City could be sitting one point clear at the summit, cranking up the pressure.

Last season’s meeting with Brighton still stings. Arsenal was leading 1-0 when Rice was sent off for a second booking after delaying a restart. The decision sparked fury, changed the game, and Brighton grabbed a late equaliser to leave Arteta’s side with a damaging 1-1 draw.

“I remember it very well,” Arteta said. “I was very pissed off in the manner that we played with 10 men, so hopefully it is going to be very different next time. I think the rules are different now. We paid a big price for that rule.”

Arsenal collected six red cards in the league last season, often hurting themselves at key moments. This time around, discipline has been better and they’ve yet to have a player sent off. Arteta is desperate to keep it that way as the title race tightens.

There was better news on the injury front too. Kai Havertz is closing in on a return after knee surgery ruled him out since the opening game of the season. The German trained last week and was close to making the squad for the League Cup win over Crystal Palace.

“He was quite close and it will be a matter of days,” Arteta said. “He’s a player we have missed a lot. He gives us another dimension and I’ll be very happy to have him back.” Gabriel Martinelli, though, remains a doubt and will face a late fitness test after picking up a knee issue against Palace.

With Brighton always awkward opponents and City breathing down their necks, Arsenal know there’s little room for error. One silly moment, one flash of indiscipline, and the title race could swing again. Arteta’s message is simple — keep 11 men on the pitch and get the job done.