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Calafiori, Hincapie, Havertz - Arsenal injury latest and possible return dates vs Man Utd
Football | January 24, 2026 2:40 AM CST

Mikel Arteta has delivered huge injury updates on three Arsenal stars before the Premier League clash against Manchester United. The Gunners have seen absences decrease since welcoming back Gabriel Magalhaes- and several others - with Arteta able to heavily rotate his squad over the last few weeks.

One position that has still been impacted is left-back, with both Piero Hincapie and Riccardo Calafiori unavailable. Jurrien Timber has filled in for several games, but he is likely to switch flanks very soon, with Arteta handed a huge double injury boost.

Kai Havertz has returned from his significant spell out of the side, but is still being carefully monitored with Arteta making a fresh admission on his fitness. Elsewhere, Max Dowman is still out because of ankle injury, but Bukayo Saka looks to have overcome a minor issueafter playing 90 minutes of the Champions League win over Inter Milan.

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With that being said, football.london has rounded up the latest updates on Arsenal's injured players and whether or not they could return against United.

Riccardo Calafiori

Mikel Arteta was handed a major boost in training on Friday - with Riccardo Calafiori spotted back in action after one month out because of a muscle injury.

Having missed eight games, it is unlikely the Italy international will go straight back into the Arsenal squad for the visit of United. Arteta has suggested it is possible he returns to the fold this weekend, but a return later this month seems far more likely.

What Arteta has said: "Yeah we have another training session. We'll see and make a decision on the squad."

Possible return date: Leeds United (A) - Saturday, January 31.

Piero Hincapie

Also back on the grass at London Colney was Piero Hincapie. The Ecuador international has not featured for the Gunners since their 0-0 draw against Liverpool earlier this month.

Having missed much less action than Calafiori, he could even go straight into their starting XI, but a place on the bench is more likely.

What Arteta has said: "Yeah we have another training session. We'll see and make a decision on the squad."

Possible return date: Manchester United (H) - Sunday, January 25.

Kai Havertz

Arteta has delivered an update on Kai Havertz's fitness with the returning Germany international continuing to see his minutes managed after a long spell out

What Arteta has said: "Well, he is very close. Obviously he's been out for a long time, almost a year for different reasons and now we have to be very smart in the manner that we manage that load, the minutes. I am sure in the next few weeks he is going to play minutes.

"I cannot tell you which competition because that will depend as well on the game context and it is a context that is positive to throw him in or not with his qualities."

Max Dowman

The Gunners teenager has been absent since early December with an ankle issue. However, Dowman is expected to return soon after Arteta admitted his injury was "very similar" to Cristhian Mosquera's, who missed six weeks of action but did return early.

With so many senior stars fit and available, he is unlikely to be named in Premier League matchday squads, but he could feasibly be involved in the FA Cup fourth round tie against Wigan Athletic.

What Arteta has said: "Very similar to Mosquera. Very similar injury, very similar time-frames - and both evolving really well, but they're not training yet, so they're still a few weeks away."

Possible return date: Wigan Athletic (H) - Sunday, February 15.


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