Arsenal injury news: Players out, potential return dates, predicted lineup for Aston Villa Premier League clash

The Gunners are facing a serious injury crisis.

As they prepare for a potentially challenging series of January games, Arsenal are still leading the Premier League standings.

Over Christmas, Mikel Arteta’s team held onto their two-point advantage over Manchester City, but Aston Villa are also in proximity.

Mikel Arteta still has several injury problems in defence as they prepare for a crucial match against Unai Emery’s team, who defeated them dramatically at Villa Park earlier this month.

Below is their injury list, along with the expected return dates of players and their anticipated starting lineup for the upcoming game.

Arsenal injury list & updates

Jurrien Timber

• Injury: Knee/ankle
• Expected return date: December 30

Jurrien Timber missed the 2-1 victory over Brighton after landing awkwardly during training. Arteta will be eager to field him against Villa if at all feasible, albeit the extent of the issue is unknown.

Riccardo Calafiori

• Injury: Undisclosed
• Expected return date: December 30

During the warm-up, Riccardo Calafiori withdrew from the Brighton match. The Italian defender “felt something very awkward” during training, according to Arteta.

Calafiori was allowed to demonstrate his fitness just before that game, which implies the issue is not too severe.

Ben White

• Injury: Hamstring
• Expected return date: January

Ben White followed Timber on the sidelines against Brighton, forcing Declan Rice to play at right-back. The defender will be absent “for a few games” due to a minor hamstring issue, according to Arteta.

Cristhian Mosquera

• Injury: Ankle
• Expected return date: January/February

Gabriel’s return to the bench against Brighton and could start the next game.

Kai Havertz

• Injury: Knee
• Expected return date: January 2026

After injuring his knee during the first victory over Manchester United, Kai Havertz underwent minor surgery. The management wants to keep the player totally fit for as long as possible, and Arteta is keen to avoid rushing him back.

The original goal was for him to return after the November international break. However, Arteta acknowledged that the German had experienced a setback in his recuperation while he was still sidelined in early December. “A matter of weeks” was Arteta’s response to the question of when Havertz would be back on the field.

Arsenal’s predicted lineup vs Villa

Formation: 4-3-3: Raya (GK); Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Odegaard, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Trossard, Martinelli

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