Arsenal have been dealt a fresh injury update with Mikel Arteta now set to be without a key player until 2026.
Arsenal's state of play with injuries
According to a recent report by The Telegraph, 17 of Arsenal's 25-man squad have missed at least one game through injury or suspension — so it is safe to say their bad luck has carried on from last season.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta
Arsenal's title ambitions face mounting scrutiny as a result, with Arteta confronting a defensive injury crisis that threatens to derail their Premier League title charge during the congested festive schedule.
Ben White's hamstring injury sustained against Wolves represents the latest devastating blow, with scans revealing the England international will miss at least a month.
The 28-year-old pulled up while tracking back during Saturday's dramatic 2-1 victory, clutching his left hamstring in visible discomfort.
His absence proves particularly cruel given he had only recently re-established himself following extended periods managing knee problems throughout last season.
White's injury compounds Arsenal's already precarious defensive situation.
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Gabriel Magalhaes has been absent since November's international break after representing Brazil, with his return not expected until late December or even in the new year.
Cristhian Mosquera faces a similar timeline, with his ankle injury far worse than initially anticipated. The versatile Spaniard could miss another six weeks, as per the BBC, so his return isn't expected until late January to early Feb.
The simultaneous absences create significant tactical headaches for Arteta.
Both White and Mosquera provide crucial versatility, capable of operating at right-back or right-centre-back, yet Arsenal now possess no obvious alternatives to William Saliba and Jurrien Timber.
Mosquera-Arsenal-Enzo-Fernandez-Chelsea
The situation forces reliance on academy prospects Marli Salmon and Josh Nichols, both recently involved in first-team training despite their inexperience.
15-year-old wonderkid Max Dowman adds to Arteta's concerns after suffering ankle ligament damage during an Under-21 friendly against Man United, ruling him out for approximately two months.
Meanwhile, Kai Havertz continues his lengthy rehabilitation from August's knee injury, and he was once battling to be in contention to face Tottenham in the North London derby back in November.
Kai Havertz out till early to mid-January after Arsenal injury setback
However, after suffering a setback, the prognosis is now much longer.
Arsenal Havertz
As per The Mail's Isaan Khan this afternoon, Havertz is 'set to be sidelined' until early to mid-January, meaning he won't be available again for the festive period and faces a wait until after the new year.
The 26-year-old has been a sore miss for Arteta, and will carry on to be after this update.
The German international's absence since August removes a crucial dimension from Arsenal's forward line.
Havertz offers unique qualities as a false nine capable of dropping deep to link play, while possessing the technical intelligence to operate between defensive lines too.
Viktor Gyokeres has struggled to replicate Havertz's complete game despite his goalscoring pedigree, managing just six goals across all competitions while appearing isolated during Arsenal's recent labored performances.
V. Gyokeres
The Swedish striker's limited involvement against Wolves, completing merely three passes, highlighted Arsenal's difficulties creating chances without Havertz's movement and link-up play.
With Arsenal navigating nine December/January fixtures across multiple competitions, including crucial clashes against Everton, Crystal Palace, Brighton, Aston Villa and Liverpool, Havertz's continued absence forces Arteta into compromised team selections — precisely when squad depth matters most.
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