Overview
- Kai Havertz has resumed team training, with Mikel Arteta saying his comeback is a matter of days rather than weeks after being close to the Carabao Cup squad.
- Centre-back Gabriel Magalhães remains out and has not trained since his November adductor injury, with no firm return date from Arteta.
- Gabriel Martinelli is being assessed after a knee knock, Piero Hincapié is a doubt following an issue at Everton, and Ben White is out with a non‑major hamstring problem.
- Gabriel Jesus started and played 86 minutes in the cup win over Crystal Palace as Arsenal carefully increase his workload.
- Arsenal sit two points clear at Christmas, with injuries forcing repeated defensive reshuffles as Arteta also seeks to avoid a repeat of last season’s Declan Rice red card against Brighton.