Gameweek 5 Team News: Arteta Optimistic, Brighton's Azeez Delayed, Fulham's Tete Out
The bulk of the Premier League’s Gameweek 5 managers stepped up to the microphones on Friday, and the early signs are positive for Arsenal and Brighton – less so for Fulham.
Arsenal: Arteta bullish on defensive options
Mikel Arteta cut a confident figure as he brushed aside concerns over Ben White’s fitness after the defender appeared to tweak his groin in the win over Sunderland.
“They are all good, we have another training session this afternoon, so we are really positive about everybody,” Arteta said when asked directly about White.
The optimism didn’t stop there. Piero Hincapie, Cristhian Mosquera (muscle) and Jurrien Timber all missed the midweek Carabao Cup win over Ipswich Town, but Arteta suggested that group is also on course to be involved. Timber’s absence in midweek had already been explained as simple game-time management.
“Yeah, we have another session, they are all willing to be part of it, and we have another session to try to make sure that they are fit,” he added, confirming that Hincapie, Mosquera and Timber were included in his “all good” assessment.
One key name does remain unavailable: William Saliba is still out with a back problem.
Away from the injury bulletin, Arteta took time to lavish praise on Ezri Konsa, underlining how quickly the defender has embedded himself at the club and formed a bond with Gabriel.
“I heard some great things about Ezri before he joined and when you have him daily you just realise the magnitude of the player that we signed, not only the player but the person,” Arteta said. He highlighted Konsa’s personality and his instant connection with “Big Gabi”, describing their partnership as “extremely important on the field” and one that “really makes us better.”
Arteta also addressed Eberechi Eze’s role off the left, making it clear that this is no experiment.
“He’s always played there in his career, that’s where all his biggest moments in his career and the highlights of his career have come and I think it’s a place that he feels very, very, very comfortable,” Arteta explained. He pointed out that Eze can still move into different spaces from that side, and that the call between Eze and Christos Tzolis on the left will come down to form, the opposition, and the relationships within that flank.
Selection headaches, then, but the kind managers enjoy.
Brighton: Azeez delayed, Vuskovic ready
At Brighton, Fabian Hurzeler will have to wait to unleash new signing Femi Azeez. The forward’s hamstring issue has not cleared in time, so his debut is pushed back until after the international break.
“I think that the best thing for Femi is that he uses this [international break] to get back on his highest physical level and then get used to our style of play,” Hurzeler said. The plan is to work with Azeez individually and integrate him fully once club football resumes. “Then, definitely after the international break, he will be on a top level and we can use him in games.”
Brighton’s absentee list remains lengthy. Mats Wieffer (knee), Jack Hinshelwood, Yankuba Minteh (leg), Evan Ferguson (ankle), Kaoru Mitoma (hamstring), Stefanos Tzimas (knee) and Zadok Yohanna are all still out.
There is better news at the back. Jaouen Hadjam is “able to play” after a midweek knock, while Luka Vuskovic is fine after suffering only cramp in the dramatic 3-2 Carabao Cup win over Manchester United.
“He’s young, he will recover fast. He definitely will be an option for tomorrow,” Hurzeler said of Vuskovic.
Captain Lewis Dunk, rested for that tie at Old Trafford, is also available again, reinforcing a defence that will need to steady itself after a wild night in the cup. Georginio Rutter, who made his comeback as a substitute in that same game, adds another attacking option as Hurzeler juggles minutes and fitness.
Brighton remain stretched, but the spine of the side is there.
Fulham: Tete ruled out under concussion protocol
At Fulham, the headline is a worrying one. Kenny Tete will miss Gameweek 5 as he follows concussion protocol after a head injury, ruling out Marco Silva’s first-choice right-back.
Tom Cairney also stays on the sidelines with a knee problem, trimming Fulham’s midfield options at a time when control and experience in the middle could prove vital.
Silva now has to reshuffle without a key defender and a senior playmaker. With the season still young but the schedule already tightening, how long can Fulham afford to carry that kind of absence?
