Mikel Arteta has provided clarity on why Declan Rice started from the bench and William Saliba was absent from Arsenal’s squad during their 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest on Saturday afternoon.
The team announcement came as a surprise to many Arsenal fans, who were expecting to see both players heavily involved in the game. Rice had not shown any signs of fitness issues in the build-up, while Saliba had been spotted training normally with the rest of the squad on Friday. This made the absence of both players from the starting lineup all the more unexpected.
Despite those surprises, Arsenal’s performance on the pitch eased any worries, with Mikel Merino putting in a commanding display in midfield and Cristhian Mosquera producing an excellent performance at the back. Both players stepped up impressively to fill the gaps left by Rice and Saliba, helping the Gunners secure a comfortable win.
Speaking after the match, Arteta explained that the decision to leave Rice on the bench was purely tactical and not related to any injury concerns. The Spanish coach revealed that he wanted to take advantage of Merino’s strong form during the international break. Merino had been outstanding for his national team, scoring four goals in two games, and Arteta felt it was the perfect moment to ride that wave of confidence. “Mikel [Merino] comes back after scoring four goals in two games in a real high emotional state, I wanted to utilise that,” Arteta said. By starting Merino, Arteta hoped to capitalize on his momentum and give Arsenal an extra spark in midfield.
As for Saliba, the Arsenal manager confirmed that the defender trained fully the day before the match and completed the entire session without any physical issues. However, Saliba himself admitted to Arteta that he did not feel fully ready to play just yet.
The French international felt that the quick turnaround from training to a competitive game was too demanding, and he preferred to wait a few more days before returning to action. Arteta respected his player’s judgment, adding: “He trained yesterday, did the whole session and was okay. I spoke to him afterwards and he said ‘I think I need a few more days, the turnaround has been too quick’. When a player says that, don’t push it and I think Mosquera was very, very good.”
Looking ahead, Arteta expressed optimism that Saliba could be available for Arsenal’s next game away to Athletic Club on Tuesday. However, with Mosquera performing so well against Nottingham Forest, the manager has no reason to rush Saliba back into the team before he feels 100% fit. Arteta emphasized that the priority is to ensure Saliba’s full recovery, making it clear that defensive changes will only be made once the Frenchman feels completely ready.
This approach highlights Arteta’s balance between tactical flexibility and careful player management. By trusting Merino and Mosquera, he not only secured a convincing win but also ensured Rice and Saliba are managed sensibly for the long season ahead.
