Key Points
- Arsenal face Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon at the Emirates Stadium, with the Gunners potentially starting the match in second place if Manchester City defeat Nottingham Forest in the early kickoff.​
- Mikel Arteta provided a mixed injury update on Boxing Day, stating Kai Havertz is “a matter of days” from return after resuming full training following a knee injury sustained in August, but not yet available for Brighton.​
- Arteta confirmed Gabriel Magalhães has not yet trained with the team and remains in rehabilitation for a hamstring injury picked up on Brazil duty, initially ruling him out of the Brighton match.​
- Unexpected boost: HandofArsenal reported on X (formerly Twitter) that Gabriel Magalhães was sighted with the Arsenal squad on Friday evening, prompting speculation of a possible return.​
- Arteta and his coaching staff are set to decide on Saturday whether to include the 28-year-old Gabriel in the matchday squad, marking his first appearance since the 2-2 draw with Sunderland on 8 November.​
- Gabriel has missed Arsenal’s last nine matches across all competitions, during which the team kept only three clean sheets; prior to injury, he contributed two goals and three assists in 17 appearances.​
- Other absentees confirmed out: Ben White (hamstring), Cristhian Mosquera (ankle), Max Dowman (ankle).​
- Doubts remain over Piero Hincapié (shoulder) and Gabriel Martinelli (knock), potentially forming a triple injury boost if Gabriel returns.​
- Arsenal backed to win comfortably against Fabian Hürzeler’s Brighton, amid a busy festive schedule including Aston Villa on 30 December.​
- Earlier reports noted Gabriel’s initial injury as a “blow”, sidelining him for weeks post-Brazil friendly against Senegal.​
Who Delivered the Latest Injury Updates?
Mikel Arteta addressed reporters during his pre-game press conference on Boxing Day, 26 December 2025, providing clarity on key absences. As reported by Ben Knapton of Sports Mole, Arteta stated on Kai Havertz: “Quite close. I think it will be a matter of days if not weeks. Let’s see in the next stage how he responds to that. He’s a player that we’ve missed a lot. A player that brings the team into a different dimension. So, really happy to have him back soon.”​
The Arsenal boss was less hopeful on Gabriel Magalhães, who sustained a hamstring injury during Brazil’s international duty last month. Arteta remarked:
“We have to wait and see again. He hasn’t trained yet. He’s stable in his rehab. But hopefully we get him back as soon as possible because we know the situation that we have in the backline.”
This update followed Arsenal’s 1-0 victory over Everton, where both Havertz and Gabriel watched from the sidelines.​
What Changed with Gabriel Magalhães’ Status?
A dramatic twist emerged on Friday evening via social media. HandofArsenal posted on X:
“Gabriel Magalhães is with the Arsenal squad. Decision to be made tomorrow if he is on the official match day squad list.”
This sighting contradicts Arteta’s earlier assessment, suggesting the Brazilian centre-back, aged 28, has progressed faster than anticipated in rehabilitation.​
As detailed by Sports Mole, Gabriel’s potential inclusion would mark his return after missing nine straight matches since the 2-2 draw with Sunderland on 8 November. The former Lille defender had been in formidable form, netting two goals and providing three assists in his prior 17 outings, bolstering Arsenal’s set-piece prowess. His absence has coincided with only three clean sheets for the Gunners.​
Is Kai Havertz Close to a Comeback?
Havertz, sidelined since a knee issue in August against Manchester United, has resumed full training. Arteta, as quoted by Ben Knapton of Sports Mole, described the German’s proximity to action as “a matter of days,” hinting at a possible appearance versus Aston Villa on 30 December rather than Brighton. Eyefootball reported the forward working with the squad, potentially fit for the matchday roster against the Seagulls, though the game may arrive too soon.​
This development alleviates some pressure on Arsenal’s attack, where Havertz adds a “different dimension,” per Arteta. The Spaniard expressed delight at the progress, underscoring the player’s importance after months on the sidelines.​
Which Other Players Are Unavailable?
Arteta confirmed several confirmed absences for the Brighton clash. Ben White remains out with a hamstring problem, while Cristhian Mosquera and Max Dowman nurse ankle injuries. These join Gabriel on the sidelines initially, stretching Arsenal’s defensive resources thin.​
Piero Hincapié (shoulder) and Gabriel Martinelli (knock) carry doubts, with no definitive ruling out from Arteta. Sports Mole noted both as potential boosts alongside Gabriel, should they recover in time. Sky Sports’ Sam Blitz earlier highlighted the defensive reshuffle challenges post-Gabriel’s initial injury, suggesting options like Hincapié or Mosquera, though the latter erred in a prior start.​
When Did Gabriel Get Injured and What Was the Impact?
Gabriel’s hamstring trouble stemmed from Brazil’s friendly win over Senegal at the Emirates during the international break. As reported by The Independent, the 27-year-old (noted as 28 in later updates) was forced off, returning to Arsenal for assessment; Arteta called it a “major blow” ahead of crunch ties including Tottenham, Chelsea, and Bayern Munich.​
Sky Sports quoted Arteta confirming the defender sidelined for “weeks,” impacting a backline that conceded just five Premier League goals pre-injury. Sam Blitz of Sky Sports emphasised the timing’s severity:
“It’s a big week for Arsenal and the injury to Gabriel is threatening to derail it. Tottenham at home – the biggest game in the Arsenal fixture calendar. Bayern Munich at home – where they welcome arguably the best striker in the world in Harry Kane. And then Chelsea away – who have ‘the best attack in the league by far’ according to Arteta earlier this year.”​
How Does This Affect Arsenal’s Title Race Position?
Arsenal entered Christmas Day top of the Premier League, two points clear of Manchester City. A City win at Nottingham Forest’s City Ground on Saturday lunchtime would elevate Pep Guardiola’s side above Mikel Arteta’s charges temporarily. Victory over Brighton, under Fabian Hürzeler, would restore momentum, with Sports Mole backing a comfortable Gunners win.​
The festive fixture pile-up includes Aston Villa on 30 December and a testing FA Cup third-round tie versus Portsmouth. Eyefootball noted both Brighton and Villa evaded home defeats last term, underscoring the stakes. Arsenal’s response to City’s West Ham win—edging Everton 1-0—demonstrates resilience amid injuries.​
Could This Be a Triple Injury Boost?
Gabriel’s squad sighting opens the door for multiple returns. Sports Mole speculated his involvement as part of three boosts, factoring Hincapié and Martinelli’s unresolved statuses. Fans, per Arsenal Insider, view Gabriel’s potential comeback as a “game-changer,” citing stats on his influence.​
Arteta’s pre-Christmas caution—
“Gooners have learned to take the manager’s pre-game injury updates with a pinch of salt”
—fuels optimism. Daily Cannon echoed the centre-back’s unlikelihood for Brighton initially, yet training progress shifts the narrative.​
What Lies Ahead for Arsenal’s Defensive Line?
A return bolsters a backline aware of its “situation,” as Arteta admitted. Pre-injury, Gabriel paired potently with William Saliba; his set-piece threat (three league goals contributed) elevates Arsenal. Sky Sports data showed superior Premier League records with Gabriel starting.​
With White out and others doubtful, options dwindle. Eyefootball suggested easing Gabriel back, perhaps for Portsmouth in the FA Cup. The decision today shapes not just Saturday but Arsenal’s congested December push.
