Arsenal remain top of the Premier League table as they head into a potentially testing run of January fixtures.
Mikel Arteta's side maintained their two-point lead over Manchester City over Christmas, but also have Aston Villa in close attendance.
A crunch clash with Unai Emery's side — who beat them in dramatic fashion at Villa Park earlier this month — is on the horizon, and Mikel Arteta still has a number of injury concerns in defence.
Here is how their injury list looks, when they can expect players to return, and what their predicted lineup looks like for their next game.
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Arsenal injury list
Below is the latest injury picture for Arsenal, and estimated return dates for those who are sidelined.
Jurrien Timber
- Injury: Knee/ankle
- Expected return date: December 30
Timber sat out the 2-1 win over Brighton after landing awkwardly in training.
The severity of the problem is unclear, but Arteta will be keen to field him against Villa if at all possible. Key midfielder Declan Rice filled in at right-back against Brighton.
Riccardo Calafiori
- Injury: Undisclosed
- Expected return date: December 30
Calafiori pulled out of the Brighton game during the warm-up. Arteta said the Italy defender "felt something very awkward" in training.
The fact Calafiori was given the chance to prove his fitness immediately prior to that match suggests the problem is not too serious.
Ben White
- Injury: Hamstring
- Expected return date: January
Rice was forced to play at right-back against Brighton because White joined Timber on the sidelines.
Arteta says the defender's hamstring problem is not major but he will be out "for a few games".
Cristhian Mosquera
- Injury: Ankle
- Expected return date: January/February
Mosquera is also part of a bleak defensive picture for Arteta, who was boosted by Gabriel returning to the bench against Brighton.
The former Valencia man suffered an ankle injury in early December and will remain on the sidelines into the new year
Max Dowman
- Injury: Ankle
- Expected return date: January
Shuttled back and forth between Arsenal's first team and the U-21 side, Max Dowman picked up an ankle injury in the youth team's victory over Manchester United in early December.
While there was little concrete immediate information available on the extent of the injury, Arteta said in typical Arteta fashion that Dowman would be unavailable for "weeks."
Kai Havertz
- Injury: Knee
- Expected return date: January 2026
Havertz had a minor operation after damaging his knee in the opening win over Manchester United. Arteta is eager not to rush him back as the manager wants to keep the player fully fit for as long as possible.
After the November international break was the initial target for his return, but while still sidelined in early December, Arteta confirmed that the German had suffered a setback in his recovery. "A matter of weeks" Arteta said for his impending return, and said "I don't know" when asked when Havertz could be seen again on the pitch.
Arsenal predicted lineup vs. Aston Villa
Here is the projected starting lineup for when Arsenal host Aston Villa on December 30.
Formation: 4-3-3
Raya (GK)
Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori
Odegaard, Zubimendi, Rice
Saka, Trossard, Martinelli
Arsenal fixture schedule: Next five games
Arsenal have three more league games before the FA Cup third-round match at Portsmouth. Then comes the first leg of a Carabao Cup semifinal at Chelsea.
- Arsenal vs. Aston Villa | Premier League | Tuesday, December 30
- Bournemouth vs. Arsenal | Premier League | Saturday, January 3
- Arsenal vs. Liverpool | Premier League | Thursday, January 8
- Portsmouth vs. Arsenal | FA Cup (3rd round) | Sunday, January 11
- Chelsea vs. Arsenal | Carabao Cup (semifinal) | Wednesday, January 14