Today (Sunday) afternoon, Arsenal will attempt to defeat Brighton & Hove Albion twice in the Premier League, although Mikel Arteta has been somewhat evasive over Oleksandr Zinchenko's availability.

Oleksandr Zinchenko's injury status will have an impact on one Arsenal youngster ahead of the Premier League clash against Brighton & Hove Albion. Initially, it was thought that the 26-year-old would play no part this afternoon (Sunday) with The Athletic reporting that the left-back's season had ended prematurely as a result of a calf injury.
 However, Mikel Arteta replied with "no" when asked if this is the case during the pre-match press conference on Friday. In fact, the Gunners manager only confirmed William Saliba's absence against the Seagulls: "We have another session tomorrow before the Brighton game," he added. "We're trying to get players back before that day. With William it's for sure he's not gonna be fit for this game and we're doubting him for the next game."
Due to Premier League regulations requiring a 20-man matchday squad, the Frenchman's ineligibility means he will join Takehiro Tomiyasu, Mohamed Elneny, and Karl Hein as one of Arsenal's four senior stars who will miss the Brighton match.
Although five members of the first team might be sidelined due to Zinchenko's circumstances. Since signing from Manchester City last summer, the Ukraine international has been the first-choice left-back, especially in league games. His presence in training on Saturday virtually assures his berth in the matchday squad if healthy.

But if Zinchenko is ruled out of the Brighton game, it would leave Rob Holding as the only senior defender on the bench - assuming Arteta sticks with the same back four that were on the pitch when the final whistle blew at St James' Park - as Saliba and Tomiyasu are out injured.

Therefore, this particular scenario could very well mean a recall for highly-rated youngster Reuell Walters. The teenager was called up as cover for Saliba in games against Crystal Palace, Leeds United, Liverpool and Southampton without making an appearance and was Zinchenko's replacement for the 2-2 draw against West Ham United.

Capable of operating at full-back on either flank, Walters hasn't been seen in an Arsenal first-team matchday squad since dropping out altogether ahead of the 4-1 loss away at Manchester City last month but is on standby for a return in the penultimate home game of the campaign if Zinchenko is injured.

Alternatively, Lino Sousa - a natural left-back - could earn a surprise call-up. Another highly-rated academy product who has impressed at U21 level this season, but he's not made a Premier League matchday squad since the 3-0 win over Brentford back in September when Ethan Nwaneri made history.