Arsenal injury update: Gabriel, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli latest news and return dates | OneFootball

Mixed news for Gunners ahead of key run in title race after Christmas

Arsenal continue to be hit by injury absentees ahead of a key run of games in the title race.

They resume their title bid against Brighton on Saturday and Mikel Arteta has delivered mixed news on the injury front ahead of that game at Emirates Stadium.

Here’s all the latest Arsenal injury news and potential return dates...

Gabriel

Gabriel has now missed nine Arsenal games since suffering an adductor injury while playing for Brazil in November.

The centre-back back has been sorely missed and Arteta has revealed he is not back in training, so appears to still be some way away from a comeback.

Gabriel has been sidelined for over a month

Getty Images

Arteta is unsure when Gabriel will return.

Speaking ahead of the Brighton game, Arteta said: “We have to wait and see. He hasn't trained yet, so he’s still doing his rehab.

“But hopefully as quickly as possible [he can be back], because we know the situation now we have in the backline.”

Potential return date: January 2026

Kai Havertz

There is better news on Kai Havertz, who is closing in on a return.

The German has not played since suffering a knee injury at Manchester United on the opening weekend of the season.

But he is back in training and could make his comeback against Brighton on Saturday.

Kai Havertz is back in training for Arsenal

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

“Quite close,” said Arteta when asked ahead of the Brighton game how close Havertz is to returning. “I think it will be a matter of days, not weeks. Let’s see in the next steps how he responds to that.

“But he is, again, a player that we missed a lot, a player that brings the team into a different dimension. So, I am really happy to have him back soon.”

Potential return date: December 27 vs Brighton (H)

Gabriel Martinelli

Gabriel Martinelli was forced off in the Carabao Cup win against Crystal Palace before Christmas.

Martinelli was hurt in a clash with Palace defender Jaydee Canvot late in the first half and, while he initially continued, was substituted in the second half.

Gabriel Martinelli was hurt against Crystal Palace before Christmas

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Arteta played down concerns of a major injury but Martinelli has been being assessed ahead of the Brighton game.

Speaking after the Palace game, Arteta said: “Martinelli is more of a knock and he wasn’t comfortable to carry on after the second half.

“He could not carry on, so we had to make the sub.”

Piero Hincapie

Piero Hincapie missed the penalty shootout win over Palace after sustaining an injury in the 1-0 win at Everton last weekend.

Hincapie has become a key figure in the Arsenal defence in the absence of Gabriel and Cristhian Mosquera, but Riccardo Calafiori shifted to centre-back against Palace.

Piero Hincapie missed the Carabao Cup win over Crystal Palace

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Arsenal will hope he is fit to return against Brighton.

Speaking after the Palace game, Arteta said: “With Piero, yeah, something different because he picked up an injury against Everton.”

Potential return date: December 27 vs Brighton (H)

Ben White

Ben White is sidelined with the hamstring injury he suffered against Wolves on December 13.

The good news for Arsenal is that the problem is not as bad as first feared and he could return soon.

Arteta said last week: “He's evolving well. It’s not major injury but it will keep him out for a few games. I don’t think it’s going to be [major].

“Ben is a really fast healer as well so let's hope that we're going to have him in the next few games."

Potential return date: December 30 vs Aston Villa (H)

Cristhian Mosquera

Cristhian Mosquera has been ruled out with what Arteta has described as a “complicated” ankle injury.

It is unclear when Mosquera will return but it has been reported that he could be sidelined until the middle of January.

“He's going to be out for weeks unfortunately, it's much more than what we expected,” Arteta said this month. “But the player was feeling it.”

Potential return date: January 2026

Max Dowman

Max Dowman sustained an ankle ligament injury in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Manchester United a few weeks ago.

His injury is not set to require surgery but Arsenal have replaced him in their Champions League squad and the midfielder is set to be sidelined until at least February.

Arteta said: “With Max, unfortunately, he picked up an injury, so we did some scans and he is going to be out

Potential return date: February 2026