Mikel Arteta: Arsenal must not repeat last year’s damaging Brighton dismissal

Mikel Arteta hopes history does not repeat itself when Arsenal face Brighton after Declan Rice’s red card in last year’s fixture left him “very p***** off”.

Arsenal host Brighton at the Emirates on Saturday bidding to keep their Premier League title charge on track, with Manchester City breathing down their necks.

Indeed, Pep Guardiola’s side could be one point clear at the top of the table if they see off Nottingham Forest at the City Ground prior to Arsenal’s contest against the Seagulls.

Last season, Rice was sent off after he received a second yellow card for delaying a restart.

Arsenal were leading 1-0 before Rice’s controversial dismissal but ended up dropping two points in a 1-1 draw.

“I remember it very well,” said Arteta as he reflected on the fixture.

“I was very p***** 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 played a big price with that rule. And hopefully that stays away and we continue to play with 11 players.”

Rice’s red card was one of six Arsenal received in the Premier League last term.

But ahead of their clash against Brighton they sit at the top of the fair play table, without a single dismissal so far.

Arsenal could be boosted by the return of Kai Havertz on Saturday.

The 26-year-old has not been seen since Arsenal’s first match of the season following surgery on his right knee.

However, Havertz returned to training last week and Arteta admitted he was close to making the squad for their Carabao Cup penalty-shootout triumph over Crystal Palace on Tuesday night.

Arteta continued: “He (Havertz) was quite close and it will be a matter of days.

“Let’s see how he responds to the next step, but he is a player that we have missed a lot and a player who brings another dimension to the team. I will be very happy to have him back soon.”

Gabriel Martinelli will face a late fitness test to see if he can be available. Martinelli was withdrawn in the second half against Palace after picking up a knee injury.

Gabriel is closing in on a return from a thigh problem, but the game against Brighton will come too soon for the Brazil international.