Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has denied reports claiming that William Saliba and Oleksandr Zinchenko will both miss the remainder of the season through injury.
The Gunners have been working without Saliba for the past couple of months due to the back problem that he sustained in the second leg of their Europa League last-16 defeat to Sporting Lisbon in March.
Meanwhile, Zinchenko was named in the starting lineup for last weekend's trip to Newcastle United, but he had to be replaced on the 61-minute mark due to an apparent calf concern.
Arteta did not specify an injury for Zinchenko after the 2-0 win at St James' Park, though, and he has repeatedly refused to rule Saliba out for the season, in spite of his slow progress in his recovery.
However, a report from The Athletic on Thursday evening stated that both Saliba and Zinchenko would not be available for Arsenal's final three games this season, although neither man would need surgery.
Nevertheless, Arteta remained tight-lipped over his players' fitness at Friday's press conference, although he admitted that Saliba would be absent for Sunday's meeting with Brighton & Hove Albion.
The Gunners boss also expressed doubt over the Frenchman's availability for next weekend's trip to Nottingham Forest, but he insisted that the claims regarding Zinchenko's fitness were not true.
"We have another session tomorrow before the Brighton game. We're trying to get players back before that day. With William it's for sure he's not going to be fit for this game and we're doubting him for next game," Arteta said.
When directly questioned on whether Zinchenko had been ruled out for the rest of the campaign, the Spaniard bluntly responded: "No".
While it remains to be seen if there is any truth in Arteta's comments, Arsenal will definitely be without Mohamed Elneny and Takehiro Tomiyasu for the visit of Brighton due to the pair's long-term knee problems.
The Gunners welcome the Seagulls to North London on the back of their hard-earned victory in Newcastle, where Martin Odegaard's sublime strike preceded a Fabian Schar own goal.
Arsenal's success at St James' Park - which came 12 months after an identical defeat to the Magpies effectively ended their Champions League dreams - moved them to within one point of Manchester City at the top of the table, albeit having played a game more.
The day after Arsenal's triumph, Brighton succumbed to a shock 5-1 beating at the hands of relegation-threatened Everton, but Arteta is taking nothing for granted against Roberto De Zerbi's "remarkable" side.
"The way Brighton play under manager Roberto de Zerbi is remarkable. It is just a joy to watch them play. What they have brought to the league is a different idea, a different way of playing and a different challenge to manage against," Arteta added.
"They pose an extremely tricky challenge, with the way they play, so we will have to handle the things they do, but it will be the same for them, managing the way we do it. We want to beat them and elevate our hopes because everything is still to play for."
Man City have the chance to extend their lead over Arsenal to four points when they meet Everton at Goodison Park two-and-a-half hours before Arteta's men and Brighton take to the field. body check tags ::
