Jurrien Timber latest as Arsenal battle six injuries ahead of Aston Villa clash | Football | Sport
Arsenal and Aston Villa both approach their crucial Premier League encounter significantly weakened by injuries and suspensions. With only three points separating the sides, Unai Emery aims to complete a league double over his former employers. A dramatic late winner from Emiliano Buendia secured Villa’s triumph over the Gunners last month, and Mikel Arteta’s men will be hungry for retribution. However, they may have to pursue that without Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber, both of whom were absent for the weekend victory against Brighton.
Late fitness assessments are expected to determine their readiness, whilst Gabriel Magalhaes and Kai Havertz could face similar evaluations, with the Brazilian defender likely to feature. Villa have largely avoided significant injury concerns, though one-match suspensions for Matty Cash and Boubacar Kamara mean they will be unavailable for the Emirates Stadium fixture. Express Sport examines the latest Arsenal injury updates ahead of their title showdown with Villa…
Jurrien Timber
Timber remains doubtful for the Villa match after sitting out the Brighton victory. The defender has had a week to recover from his complaint and, considering the magnitude of the fixture, could well make his comeback.
What Arteta has said: “In the last part of the [Palace] game [on Tuesday], he felt something and could not carry on. So, he’s out.”
Potential return date: Aston Villa (H) – Tuesday, December 30
Just before the match on Saturday, Calafiori was removed from the starting line-up, with Arteta later disclosing that he had encountered a problem the day before. Given the quick turnaround and the availability of Myles Lewis-Skelly, it seems improbable that he will be risked.
What Arteta has said: “It’s something that he felt yesterday [Friday], something very awkward that happened, and today in the warm-up he wasn’t comfortable.”
Potential return date: Liverpool (H) – Thursday, January 8
Kai Havertz
Arteta is nearing a significant injury boost with Havertz on the brink of a much-anticipated comeback. The latest update and his presence at training last week suggest he will be included in the matchday squad for Villa.
What Arteta has said: “I think it will be a matter of days, not weeks… 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.”
Potential return date: Aston Villa (H) – Tuesday, December 30
Ben White
White is halfway through his recovery from a thigh injury, and Arteta is likely hopeful of having him back for Liverpool’s visit.
What Arteta has said: “It’s not a major [hamstring] injury, but it will keep him out for a few games. Ben is a really fast healer as well, so let’s hope that we’re going to have him in the next few games.”
Potential return date: Liverpool (H) – Thursday, January 8
Cristhian Mosquera
Mosquera is also making gradual progress but is anticipated to remain sidelined for a while longer.
What Arteta has said: “He’s going to be out for weeks. Unfortunately, it’s much more than what we expected. But the player was feeling it, so he’s going to be out for weeks.”
Potential return date: January 2026
Max Dowman
Dowman sustained an injury during a behind-closed-doors friendly, although a comeback next month is hoped for.
What Arteta has said: “Max picked up an injury last weekend and had to come off. So he did some scans, and he is going to be out for weeks.”
Potential return date: January 2026
