Arsenal injury report: Return dates and latest player updates

Arsenal's 2025/26 season has been plagued by a lengthy list of worrying injury news. Throughout the course of this season, several key players have been missing, and it's exacerbated a concerning trend over the last few seasons.

In fact, Mikel Arteta hasn't been able to field his strongest possible lineup at any point so far. Whenever one key player returns, another two drop to the floor.

So, with worrying Arsenal injury news coming left, right and center, we will be providing updates on the current players Arsenal are without.

Arsenal injury report - Updated tracker

Riccardo Calafiori - Unavailable

Riccardo Calafiori was forced to withdraw from the squad to face Brighton, which is always a concern. It was not believed to be a lengthy injury, but Mikel Arteta has adequate backup in Myles Lewis-Skelly, anyway.

Speaking before the game against Bournemouth this weekend, Mikel Arteta said that the Italian defender would be ruled out. There was nothing new to report on his rehab.

Injury: Aggravated a pre-existing injury

Expected injury length: Weeks

Return date: Liverpool (H), Thursday 8 January

Declan Rice - Unknown availability (knee injury)

Declan Rice picked up a knee injury in the weekend's game aganst Brighton and Hove Albion, and he will not face Aston Villa tonight.

According to The Athletic, Rice carried on playing against Brighton, and hoped he would be fit in time to face Aston Villa. A late update, just hours before the game, has proved those hopes redundant.

The current expectation is that Rice will not be missing for long. It is believed that he missed the Aston Villa match as a risk-aversion.

Speaking ahead of the Bournemouth game this weekend, Mikel Arteta said: “Well, not yet (swelling on knee remains), and we have another session today. Let's see how he comes today (Friday, day before KO) and how that's feeling, but it was too early that game for him."

Injury: Knee

Expected injury length: Days

Return date: Bournemouth (A), Saturday 3 January

Max Dowman - Unavailable (ankle ligament injury)

Arsenal youngster Max Dowman picked up a devastating injury blow in the middle of December.

David Ornstein was the first to break the news, and The Athletic journalist said that Max Dowman picked up an ankle ligament injury, in a friendly against Man United.

It is expected that Max Dowman will be out for two months, but the exact point of his return is still unknown. The one positive we do know, though, is that he's not scheduled for surgery.

Injury: Ankle ligament injury

Expected injury length: Two months

Return date: Unknown

Kai Havertz - Available (knee injury)

Kai Havertz has been missing in action since August with a knee injury. He was supposed to return in November, but he suffered an unfortunate setback in his rehab. It was once expected that Kai Havertz will return for Arsenal in early/mid-January.

Kai Havertz has been spotted in training, though, and unbelievably, he could even face Aston Villa tonight. Whether or not Mikel Arteta rushes him back is a different story, but he's available again.

Injury: Knee

Expected injury length: 5 months

Return date: Aston Villa (H), Tuesday 30 December

Cristhian Mosquera - Unavailable (muscle injury)

Cristhian Mosquera picked up an injury in the Premier League win against Brentford. He then went on to miss the game against Aston Villa.

Cristhian Mosquera will, unfortunately, not face Bournemouth this weekend. Mikel Arteta has already confirmed that he is out.

Injury: Muscle

Expected injury length: Six weeks

Return date: Nottingham Forest (A), Saturday 17 January