Arsenal vs Brighton early injury news as 9 ruled out and 3 doubts

Arsenal return to Premier League action on Saturday when they welcome Brighton to the Emirates Stadium on the back of their Carabao Cup penalty shootout win over Crystal Palace. The Gunners have won their last two Premier League games, and they will be looking to protect their two-point lead at the top here.

Brighton haven’t won any of their last four, and they will be hoping to remain in the European race heading into the New Year. Here we round up the latest injury news surrounding both teams heading into this one.

Stefanos Tzimas - Out

Tzimas has ruptured his ACL and will be out for the season. Hurzeler said earlier this month: “I can confirm [it is an ACL]. We see him, he is here. He is already starting his rehab. He will have surgery, and we have big trust in the doctors and our medical dept. We are quite convinced he will be back as quick as possible and in even better shape.”

Adam Webster - Out

Webster is also a long-term absentee with a serious knee injury.

Carlos Baleba - Out (International)

Baleba is currently away for the African Cup of Nations.

Solly March - Out

March is looking at a January return. Hurzeler said last week: “Not for this weekend, but definitely closer. He's progressing well. It shouldn't be a race to say it has to be before the new year. We are all pleased, and we will all be happy if it happens, but I think it's very important to be patient, don't force it and then let's see when it happens.”

Jan Paul van Hecke - Fit

Hurzeler said ahead of this one: “JP will train tomorrow, so he should be back.”

Mats Wieffer - Doubt

Hurzeler has said: “We have to go day-to-day and follow the procedure we have to follow. But he looks quite positive, quite well, so I think he will also be available.”

Danny Welbeck - Fit

Hurzeler confirmed on Tuesday: “Danny will train today, so he'll be back.”

Gabriel Martinelli - Doubt

Martinelli picked up an issue against Palace. Arteta said: “Martinelli is more of a knock and he wasn't comfortable to carry on after the second half.”

Piero Hincapie - Doubt

Arteta said of the fresh issue: “With Piero, yeah, something different because he picked up an injury against Everton.”

Max Dowman - Out

Dowman is going to miss some time, with Arteta confirming: “Yes, so first of all, unfortunately, Max [Dowman] 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.”

Kai Havertz - Out

Havertz is getting closer, but he won’t be back until at least the end of the month. Arteta said last week: “Matter of weeks. Let's see how it evolves... He's doing really well, he's doing stuff on the pitch, but I think he needs some time. He was doing everything; he could not go to the next level. We are all desperate to have him.” Havertz has been pictured back on the grass.

Gabriel Magalhaes - Out

Arteta said last week: “He’s pushing hard, as he always does every time he’s out, and he’s evolving really well. He’s doing pitch sessions, so he’s not too far. We have to see in the next stages of that rehab, how he progresses, but we are quite positive about it.” This one will almost certainly come too soon, but Gabriel could be back next week.

Cristhian Mosquera - Out

Arteta confirmed after the Villa game: “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.”

Ben White - Out

Arteta confirmed: “Yeah, he’s out. He’s evolving well, it’s not a major injury, but it will keep him out for a few games, I think. I don’t think it’s going to be [a major injury] and Ben is a really fast healer as well, so there’s hope that we’re going to have him in the next few games.”

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