Mikel Arteta hopes to be able to call upon Kai Havertz for the first time since August when Arsenal host Brighton.
Havertz has been out since suffering a knee injury against Manchester United on the opening weekend of the season.
But the German is back in training and could return as Arsenal look to strengthen their position at the top of the Premier League after Christmas.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Arteta said Havertz was only “a matter of days rather than weeks” away from a return to action.
“Quite close,” said Arteta. “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.”
Arteta was less positive about centre-back Gabriel’s recovery from his adductor injury.
The Brazilian has missed Arsenal’s last nine games and Arteta has admitted he is yet to return to training.
Arteta said: “We have to wait and see. He hasn't trained yet, so he’s still doing his rehab.
“But hopefully as quickly as possible [he can be back], because we know the situation now we have in the backline.”
Gabriel Martinelli is a fitness doubt after coming off in the second half in the Carabao Cup win over Crystal Palace before Christmas.
Piero Hincapie is also a doubt, having missed out against Palace due to injury.
Ben White and Cristian Mosquera remain sidelined so Riccardo Calafiori could start at centre-back with Myles Lewis-Skelly at left-back, as they did against Palace.
Predicted Arsenal XI (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Calafiori; Lewis-Skelly, Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Gyokeres, Trossard
Injured: Gabriel, Mosquera, White, Dowman
Doubts: Hincapie, Havertz, Martinelli
Time and date: 3pm GMT on Saturday, December 27, 2025
Venue: Emirates Stadium
