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Arsenal remain top of the Premier League table as they head into a potential January testing schedule.
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Mikel Arteta’s side maintain a two-point lead over Manchester City into the Christmas period, but Aston Villa are not far behind.
A crucial clash looms with Unai Emery’s side, who beat them in dramatic fashion at Villa Park earlier this month, and Mikel Arteta still dealing with some injury issues at the back.
Here’s a look at their injury list, when players can return, and their projected lineup for their next game.
More: Is Antoine Semenyo top of the list for January transfer Christmas?
Arsenal injury list
Here’s the latest injury update at Arsenal, along with expected return dates for missing players.
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julien lumber co.
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Estimated return date: December 30
Timber missed the 2-1 win over Brighton after landing awkwardly in training.
The extent of the problem is unclear but Arteta will be keen to feature him against Villa if possible. Against Brighton, key midfielder Declan Rice played at right-back.
Ricardo Calafioli
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Estimated return date: December 30
Calafiore withdrew from the game against Brighton in the warm-up match. Arteta said the Italian defender was “very embarrassed” in training.
The fact that Calafiore had a chance to prove his fitness before that game suggests the problem isn’t too serious.
Ben White
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Estimated return date: January
Against Brighton, Rice was forced to play at right-back as White joined Timber on the sidelines.
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Arteta said the defender’s hamstring problem is not serious but he will miss “a few games”.
Christian Mosquera
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Estimated return date: January/February
Mosquera has also been part of Arteta’s dismal defense, which received a boost when Gabriel returned to the bench against Brighton.
The former Valencia player suffered an ankle injury at the beginning of December and will be sidelined in the new year.
Max Dowman
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Estimated return date: January
Max Dowman, who shuttles between Arsenal’s first-team and Under-21 sides, suffered an ankle injury during the youth team’s win over Manchester United in early December.
While there is no immediate information on the extent of the injury, Arteta, in typical Arteta fashion, said Dauman will be out for “several weeks”.
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Kai Havertz
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Estimated return date: January 2026
Havertz suffered a knee injury in his first game against Manchester United and underwent minor surgery. Arteta is in no rush to bring him back as the manager wants to keep the player fully fit for as long as possible.
The November international break was the initial target for his return, but while still sidelined at the start of December, Arteta confirmed the German’s recovery had suffered a setback. Arteta said his return was “a matter of weeks away” and said “I don’t know” when asked when Havertz could be on the pitch again.
Arsenal vs Aston Villa predicted line-up
Here is the expected starting line-up when Arsenal host Aston Villa on December 30.
Formation: 4-3-3
Raya(GK)
wood, saliba, gabriel, calafioli
Odegaard, Zubimendi, Rice
Saka, Trossard, Martinelli
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Arsenal schedule: Next five games
Arsenal have three league games remaining before their FA Cup third round tie against Portsmouth. Next up is the League Cup semi-final first leg against Chelsea.
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arsenal vs Aston Villa | Premier League | Tuesday 30 December
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Bournemouth vs Bournemouth arsenal |Premier League|Saturday 3 January
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arsenal vs Liverpool | Premier League | Thursday 8 January
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Portsmouth VS Portsmouth arsenal |FA Cup (Third Round)|Sunday, January 11
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Chelsea VS Chelsea arsenal |Carabao Cup (semi-finals)| Wednesday 14 January