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Arsenal injury update: Jurrien Timber, Riccardo Calafiori, Kai Havertz latest news and return dates
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Arsenal injury update: Jurrien Timber, Riccardo Calafiori, Kai Havertz latest news and return dates
Gunners sweating on fitness of several key defenders ahead Aston Villa showdown
Arsenal’s injury concerns are showing little sign of easing
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Tashan Deniran-Alleyne
13 hours ago
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Arsenal continue their Premier League title bid when they face Aston Villa on Tuesday.
The Gunners stayed two points clear of Manchester City at the top of the table as a brilliant save from David Raya ensured they held on to beat Brighton 2-1 in their first game after Christmas.
Their final fixture of 2025 is a crunch clash with unlikely title rivals Aston Villa, who are just three points behind them after a brilliant run of eight straight wins.
Arsenal continue to be hit by injury absentees ahead of a key run of games in the title race, as Gabriel made a surprise return against Brighton but Jurrien Timber was ruled out and Riccardo Calafiori pulled out of the warm-up.
After the Aston Villa game, Arsenal travel to Bournemouth in the New Year before playing Liverpool at Emirates Stadium in another huge game on January 8.
Here’s all the latest Arsenal injury news and potential return dates…
Jurrien Timber
Arsenal were dealt a huge blow ahead of their win against Brighton when Timber failed to make the matchday squad.
Timber did arrive with his team-mates at the Emirates Stadium but was left out after sustaining a knock late on in the Carabao Cup win over Crystal Palace before Christmas.
Jurrien Timber was not in the squad against Brighton
Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Arteta said: “We missed him because in the last part of the game he felt something and he could not carry on so he’s out.”
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With the games coming thick and fast, it remains to be seen if Timber will be able to solve Arsenal’s right-back crisis for the Aston Villa game.
Potential return date: December 30 vs Aston Villa (H)
Riccardo Calafiori
Calafiori added to Arsenal’s injury woes when he had to withdraw from the starting line-up shortly before kick-off against Brighton.
The left-sided defender pulled out of the warm-up and Myles Lewis-Skelly took his place in the team.
Calafiori’s first season with Arsenal was disrupted by several fitness issues but he has managed to stay fit this term which has allowed him to established himself as the first-choice left-back.
Riccardo Calafiori pulled out of the warm-up before the Brighton game
Arsenal FC via Getty Images
He is now also a doubt for the Aston Villa game after a “very awkward” injury sustained in training before the Brighton game flared up during the warm-up.
“It’s something that he felt yesterday, something very awkward that happened, and today in the warm-up he wasn’t comfortable,” Arteta said.
Potential return date: December 30 vs Aston Villa (H)
Kai Havertz
Kai Havertz is closing in on a return, despite Arteta raising hope of a potential comeback against Brighton before opting to leave the forward out of the matchday squad.
The German has not played since suffering a knee injury at Manchester United on the opening weekend of the season.
But he is back in training and could now be in contention to face Aston Villa.
Kai Havertz is back in training after four months out
Arsenal FC via Getty Images
“Quite close,” said Arteta when asked ahead of the Brighton game how close Havertz is to returning. “I think it will be a matter of days, not weeks. Let’s see in the next steps how he responds to that.
“But he is, again, a player that we missed a lot, a player that brings the team into a different dimension. So, I am really happy to have him back soon.”
Potential return date: December 30 vs Aston Villa (H)
Ben White
Ben White is sidelined with the hamstring injury he suffered against Wolves on December 13.
The good news for Arsenal is that the problem is not as bad as first feared and he could return soon.
Arteta said last week: “He’s evolving well. It’s not major injury but it will keep him out for a few games. I don’t think it’s going to be [major].
“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: December 30 vs Aston Villa (H)
Cristhian Mosquera
Cristhian Mosquera has been ruled out with what Arteta has described as a “complicated” ankle injury.
It is unclear when Mosquera will return but it has been reported that he could be sidelined until the middle of January.
“He’s going to be out for weeks unfortunately, it’s much more than what we expected,” Arteta said this month. “But the player was feeling it.”
Potential return date: January 2026
Max Dowman
Max Dowman sustained an ankle ligament injury in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Manchester United a few weeks ago.
His injury is not set to require surgery but Arsenal have replaced him in their Champions League squad and the midfielder is set to be sidelined until at least February.
Arteta said: “With Max, unfortunately, he picked up an injury, so we did some scans and he is going to be out
Potential return date: February 2026
Featured
Here’s the latest confirmed list of Liverpool’s January (2026) signings and transfer activity so far (updates as of 9 January 2026):
✅ Confirmed Liverpool Signings (January 2026)
Noah Adekoya – 19-year-old centre-back signed from Burnley and has joined the club, likely initially with the U21s. �
The Liverpool Offside
Mor Talla Ndiaye (sometimes reported as *Mor Ndiaye/Talla Ndiaye) – 18-year-old Senegalese centre-back agreed to join Liverpool, expected to feature with the youth/U21 side initially. �
The Liverpool Offside +1
Ifеanyi Ndukwe – 17-year-old Austrian centre-back with a deal agreed; he’ll join Liverpool when eligible (typically summer 2026 or once administrative conditions are met for youth moves). �
Football Transfers +1
👉 These moves are mostly youth defensive signings as Liverpool look to bolster long-term depth — especially at centre-back. They are not senior first-team stars but promising young prospects. �
TEAMtalk
🔄 Other January Transfer Activity
Owen Beck returned from his loan at Derby to Liverpool — this is a return from loan rather than a fresh signing. �
ESPN.com
James Norris left Liverpool permanently, joining Shelbourne. �
ESPN.com
⚠️ Rumours & Targets (Not Confirmed Yet)
Liverpool have been linked with or are said to be interested in various players but none are officially signed yet:
Joel Ordóñez – Belgian centre-back (linked but unconfirmed). �
Harvey Elliott – linked with a return from Aston Villa (rumour). �
Attacking targets like Yan Diomande, Michael Olise, Yankuba Minteh have been mentioned as potential January targets, though nothing is confirmed. �
This Is Anfield
Federico Chiesa is reportedly attracting interest from Juventus away from Liverpool — not a confirmed exit yet. �
Black & White & Read All Over
📊 Summary Table
Category
Player
Type
Status
In
Noah Adekoya
CB
Confirmed
In
Mor Talla Ndiaye
CB
Agreed / Pending
In
Ifeanyi Ndukwe
CB
Agreed / Youth
Return
Owen Beck
LB
Returned from loan
Out
James Norris
LB
Permanent move
(CB = Centre Back, LB = Left Back)
If you want, I can also list every Premier League January transfer done so far (not just Liverpool). Just let me know!
Featured
Liverpool deal ‘agreed’ as Marc Guehi update drops after Arsenal play their hand
As of today there is no confirmed transfer that Liverpool have signed Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace.
There are only ongoing transfer rumours and interest reports — but no official confirmation that the move has happened. �
Sky Sports +1
📌 Current Situation
Marc Guehi is still a Crystal Palace player and is expected to continue there this season — Palace boss Oliver Glasner has said he believes Guehi will remain at Selhurst Park this January. �
Sky Sports
His contract expires at the end of the season and he refused a new deal, so he’s likely to leave when that contract ends. �
Sky Sports
Liverpool remain interested, but according to reliable sources they are not planning to complete the transfer now; they may wait for Guehi to move as a free agent in summer 2026. �
Goal
🚨 Rumours (but not confirmed)
Liverpool had a bid in the past, and discussions have taken place, but Crystal Palace blocked the deal previously because they couldn’t secure a replacement. �
Goal
Other clubs (e.g., Arsenal, Manchester City and Real Madrid) have also shown interest. �
Football365
✅ Official stance: No, Liverpool have not confirmed the signing of Marc Guehi.
If you want the latest verified update (e.g., around live transfer window changes), let me know and I can pull that for you.
Featured
Arsenal completes their first ever January transfer signing as £65m Winger who scored 15goals this season so far joins Arsenal on a 5yr deal with option for further season,player was on stand to watch Arsenal game last night
Arsenal transfer news: Ethan Nwaneri reaches exit decision as £80m agreement eyed
Mirror Football brings you a round-up of the latest transfer news surrounding Arsenal
Mikel Arteta is hoping his Arsenal team can go all the way this season
Arsenal may be in the midst of a title race but they are still working quietly behind the scenes on transfers. Mikel Arteta has already admitted the club is willing to spend in January should the opportunity arise.
Heading into the Premier League clash with Liverpool on Thursday night, the Gunners hold a five-point advantage over rivals Manchester City, with an opportunity to stretch that to eight points after 21 games with a win over the title holders.

Arteta’s stacked squad, thanks to a summer of heavy expenditure on quality players, ensured they came out of an injury-riddled past four months unscathed, as some key players recently made their return to fitness.
Yet, in a division as tough as this and with four trophies to fight for, there is always room for squad improvement. Here, Mirror Football brings you two of the latest transfer developments involving the north London club.
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Ethan Nwaneri makes exit decision
Ethan Nwaneri reportedly wants to stay and fight for his place in the Arsenal team for the remainder of the season. The 18-year-old has attracted attention from Bournemouth this month, with the Premier League side eager to sign him on loan until the end of this campaign following the sale of Antoine Semenyo to Manchester City.
There is a sense that a temporary move would benefit Nwaneri given his lack of playing time this season. The Hale End academy product has been left out of the last few matchday squads after seeing his playing time decrease drastically compared to last season. He has made only six Premier League appearances since scoring four league goals in 26 matches last term.
Ethan Nwaneri has been less involved this season(Getty Images)
With the likes of Martin Odegaard, Mikel Merino, Eberechi Eze and now injury returnee Kai Havertz ahead of the youngster in the pecking order, some believe Nwaneri needs a move to continue his progression. However, Arsenal do not want to sell the player due to his obvious talent.
The Independent reports Nwaneri feels he can learn more by being part of a serious title challenge, meaning he is happy to remain patient and assess his situation at the end of the season, when he may well have a league trophy to his name.
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