Brighton vs Arsenal: Fabian Hurzeler confirms reason for Lewis Dunk's absence
Fabian Hurzeler confirmed Lewis Dunk has picked up a knee injury.
Albion’s captain was a surprise absentee from the matchday squad, picked to face Arsenal, on Wednesday evening (March 4).
The 34-year-old was replaced by Olivier Boscagli – in one of three Brighton changes.
Phil McNulty, BBC Sport’s chief football writer, reported that Dunk was ‘nursing a knee injury’.
This was confirmed by Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler, post-match.
Asked why Dunk was missing, the German replied: “Because of his knee.”
Hurzeler was encouraged by the performance of Boscagli, 28, who helped to restrict Arsenal to very few goal-scoring chances, despite their 0-1 win.
“I think [it was a] really positive performance, as well, from him,” Hurzeler said.
"He showed what he's capable of doing and therefore a lot of positives.
“We're talking too much about the negatives today. We have a lot of positive things.
“We had a lot of positive performances on the pitch. Now it's about us to keep pushing, to keep fighting and try to get the results.”
Kaoru Mitoma will be joining Lewis Dunk in the medical room after picking up an ankle injury against the league leaders.
The Japan winger, 28, was seen after the match hobbling badly on crutches and wearing a protective boot.
Mitoma could hardly put any weight on his injured ankle and looked in clear discomfort. Brighton are next in action at Sunderland on March 14, which gives Mitoma a little time to recover but the early signs did not look great.
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler, speaking in his post match press, said: "He couldn't continue the game so that was disappointing for us.
"I think he showed a good performance in the first half and now we have to wait for the scan and then we can say more but we don't think it's a big injury."
Winger Solly March was also missing from the matchday squad due to a ‘small muscular issue’, which he sustained after his 10 minute cameo against Nottingham Forest last Sunday.
Hurzeler stressed to Sussex World that it is nothing to do with persistent knee issues that have troubled him for the last two years.
It remains to be explained why Charalampos Kostoulas, 18, was sidelined.
In better news for Albion, Yasin Ayari was back among the substitutes. The Sweden international midfielder had missed the previous four matches after dislocating his shoulder in the 1-1 draw at Everton.