Arsenal XI vs Brighton: Predicted lineup, confirmed team news, injury latest for Premier League

In partnership with

Evening Standard

·27 de dezembro de 2025

Arsenal XI vs Brighton: Predicted lineup, confirmed team news, injury latest for Premier League

Gunners could get injury boost as they resume Premier League title bid

Arsenal could have Kai Havertz back from injury when they resume their Premier League title bid against Brighton.

Vídeos OneFootball

Havertz has not played since the opening weekend of the season because of a knee problem but the German is back in training and has been closing in on a comeback.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Arteta said Havertz was only “a matter of days rather than weeks” away from a return to action.

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

Kai Havertz is back in training for Arsenal

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

“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.”

Arteta was less positive about centre-back Gabriel’s recovery from his adductor injury.

The Brazilian has missed Arsenal’s last nine games and Arteta has admitted he is yet to return to training.

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.”

Gabriel Martinelli is a fitness doubt after coming off in the second half in the Carabao Cup win over Crystal Palace before Christmas.

Piero Hincapie is also a doubt, having missed out against Palace due to injury.

Ben White and Cristian Mosquera remain sidelined so Riccardo Calafiori could start at centre-back with Myles Lewis-Skelly at left-back, as they did against Palace.

Predicted Arsenal XI (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Calafiori; Lewis-Skelly, Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Gyokeres, Trossard

Injured: Gabriel, Mosquera, White, Dowman

Doubts: Hincapie, Havertz, Martinelli

Time and date: 3pm GMT on Saturday, December 27, 2025

Venue: Emirates Stadium