Arsenal XI vs Brighton: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup, injury latest for Premier League

Mikel Arteta hopes to be able to call on Kai Havertz for the first time since August, when Arsenal host Brighton.

Havertz has been out since injuring his knee against Manchester United on the opening weekend of the season.

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But the German is back in training and could return as Arsenal look to strengthen their position at the top of the Premier League after Christmas.

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

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

“But he is, once again, a player that we missed a lot, a player who takes the team to a different dimension. So, I’m really happy to have him back soon.”

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

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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 rehabilitation.

“But I hope that as soon as possible (he can return), because we know the situation we are in at the moment in defense.”

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

Piero Hincapie is also doubtful, having missed Palace through injury.

Ben White and Cristian Mosquera stay out so Riccardo Calafiori can start in central defense with Myles Lewis-Skelly at left back, as they did against Palace.

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

Hurt: Gabriel, Mosquera, White, Dowman

Doubts: Hincapie, Havertz, Martinelli

Time and date: 3:00 p.m. GMT Saturday December 27, 2025

Place: Emirates Stadium