Kai Havertz could return to Arsenal’s squad as they look to strengthen their position at the top of the Premier League table against Brighton.
Havertz suffered a knee injury against Manchester United on the opening day of the season in August and has not featured for the Gunners since.
While it seems unlikely the German will start against Brighton on Saturday, he may make an appearance off the bench with Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta providing a positive update on Havertz in his pre-match press conference.
‘[He is] quite close – I think it will be a matter of days, if not weeks,’ Arteta said about Havertz ahead of the clash against the Seagulls at the Emirates this weekend.
‘Let’s see in the next step how he responds. He’s a player that we missed a lot, a player that brings the team into a different dimension. So, I’m really happy to have him back very soon.’
Gabriel Magalhaes has missed Arsenal’s last nine games and it seems unlikely he will start against Brighton given he has ‘not trained yet’ and is still ‘doing his rehab’.
With Piero Hincapie a doubt and Cristian Mosquera still sidelined, Riccardo Calafiori could start at centre-back with Myles Lewis-Skelly at left-back.
There are question marks over Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli, who is still struggling with a knock ahead of the game against Brighton.
‘[Gabriel] Martinelli is more a knock, and he wasn’t comfortable to carry on after the second half [against Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup],’ Arteta added.
‘With Piero [Hincapie], something different because he picked up an injury against Everton.’
Quizzed about Arsenal’s Brazilian centre-back Gabriel, who has been ruled out since the November international break, Arteta said: ‘We’ll have to wait and see.
‘He hasn’t trained yet, he’s still doing his rehab. But hopefully as quickly as possible because we know the situation that we have in the back line.’
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Brighton, meanwhile, have been handed a double injury boost ahead of their showdown with Arsenal.
Danny Welbeck is fit after missing Brighton’s draw with Sunderland while key defender Jan Paul van Hecke is set to be available too.
Arsenal’s predicted lineup to face Brighton
Arsenal vs Brighton TV channel and kick-off time
Arsenal vs Brighton takes place on Saturday, December 27 with kick-off scheduled for 3pm.
The Premier League match is not being broadcast live on television in the UK but you can follow all the action with Metro’s LIVE match day blog.
