Arsenal, in October 2025, became the first-ever English team to play up to six games across all competitions in a single month, winning it all and not conceding a single goal, wrapping it up with a Carabao Cup fourth-round win over Brighton.
The Gunners won all Premier League games against West Ham, Fulham, and Crystal Palace, while also winning their two Champions League games against Olympiacos Piraeus and Atlético Madrid during the month.
Arsenal wrap up a historic month with a dare
Heading into their final game of the month against a formidable top-flight opponent in Brighton, Mikel Arteta dared to name a heavily altered XI, with Eberechi Eze the only starter among their regulars.
With qualifying summer signings and already competitive backups in some areas, the Arsenal were not short of quality. However, that does not mean fans were not bothered about their chances of progression against a team that had won four times in their last seven visits to the Emirates.
Piero Hincapie made his first start and was very impressive alongside Cristhian Mosquera at the heart of defence, while they were flanked by Ben White and Myles Lewis-Skelly.
Another summer signing, Christian Nørgaard, started in the company of Mikel Merino and Ethan Nwaneri in the midfield, and it was all Hale End affair, as Eberechi Eze was joined by teenagers, Max Dowman and Andre Harriman-Annous.
Dowman, at 15 years and 302 days, became the youngest starter for a Premier League club, and the first to do so before turning 16. Harriman-Annous also made his first senior bow at 17.
In Eze, Lewis-Skelly, Nwaneri, Harriman-Annous, and Dowman, Arsenal started five Hale Enders, a proud moment for the club and fans, who made their way into the Emirates for the cup match.
Brighton took advantage of the altered team and dominated the chances in the first half, but couldn’t convert any, and were punished after the break, as Ethan Nwaneri and substitute Bukayo Saka scored to seal a 2-0 victory.
The victory not only showed Arsenal’s form but also their reliable and youthful depth. The starting XI featured four teenagers, and two other players who are under 23 years of age.
It highlights that Mikel Arteta could dare to name a very altered XI to give rest to deserving players and still come out on top in their customized way, even against some of the toughest teams around.
The featured players not only keep their chances of getting minutes alive by maintaining their status in the competition but also send a message to their Spanish manager that they are capable of stepping in for any of the regulars.
While Arsenal awaits the return of Martin Ødegaard, Noni Madueke, Kai Havertz, and Gabriel Jesus from long-term injuries, they will hope William Saliba and Gabriel Martinelli recover before their trip to Burnley this weekend.
Kehinde-Hassan Afolabi
