Brentford vs Arsenal early injury news as 10 ruled out and 5 doubts

Arsenal and Brentford are now on a collision course set for the New Year, with the two London clubs kicking off 2025 at the Brentford Community Stadium. The Gunners won as recently as Friday night, edging Ipswich Town, while the Bees were also in action, picking up a solid point at Brighton.

The Gunners need to keep winning to haul themselves back into contention for the title, while Brentford are currently four points off the top half. Here we round up the latest injury news surrounding both teams.

Joshua DaSilva - Out

DaSilva will be looking at a February return. Thomas Frank has said: “He had a procedure. Everything went well. But unfortunately, he will be out for many, many weeks. I think it will be more than two months. I don't know exactly how much longer.”

Ethan Pinnock - Out

Frank has said of Pinnock: “Ethan, I don't know the full picture, but when it's a hamstring, it's never top, so it might be a longer one, but I don't know yet.”

Kristoffer Ajer - Out

Ajer has a foot injury and will be out until early February. Frank has said: “Kristoffer went off injured and, unfortunately, picked up an ankle injury. It's a similar one to the Yoane Wissa earlier this season and Ethan Pinnock's last season. [Ajer] will also be out for weeks.”

Sepp van den Berg - Doubt

Van den Berg has a chance of returning, with Frank saying: “Sepp is minor, but it's going to be too short a turnaround for Brighton... let's see for Arsenal.”

Mathias Jensen - Doubt

Jensen has been dealing with a hamstring injury, and Frank has said: “Mathias is positive, he's getting closer, but, again, that will be too short for Brighton.”

Ben Mee - Doubt

Mee has picked up an issue, but Frank was not able to give an update on the night on Wednesday.

Mark Flekken - Doubt

Flekken falls into the same category having picked up a fresh issue.

Aaron Hickey - Out

Hickey is a long-term absentee and will not be in contention any time soon.

Rico Henry - Out

Henry is another long-term absentee, with Frank saying: “Soon, hopefully. I think Rico will be back sooner than Hickey. I’ve said in a press conference recently, instead of getting your hopes up too high I will just say, ‘This week, they are involved in the squad.’”

Igor Thiago - Out

Thiago is out with a strange injury. Frank has said: “Thiago still has the joint infection. I don't know exactly a time frame... but it'll be weeks.”

Gustavo Nunes - Out

Nunes is out with a longer term issue having suffered a stress fracture in his back.

Ben White - Out

White will not return following his knee procedure until the spring. Arteta has said: “Ben is going to be out for months. We had to make a decision in the last few weeks, unfortunately. It got to a point where we had to protect the player, and we decided to do the surgery.”

Raheem Sterling - Doubt

Sterling is not likely to return here, but he has an outside chance as he looks to return from a knee injury. Arteta said on Friday night: “The news with Raz, I think it's better. We have to see this week how he evolves. So, hopefully, that's good because we need him.”

Bukayo Saka - Out

Saka is out for around two months after requiring a procedure on his hamstring. Arteta said on Wednesday: “He had a procedure. Everything went well. But unfortunately, he will be out for many, many weeks. I think it will be more than two months. I don't know exactly how much longer.”

Tomiyasu remains out with a knee injury and while he is close to returning, there is no clear return date.