Ahead of Arsenal Premier League clash with Brighton on December 27, 2025, Mikel Arteta spoke to the media on Boxing Day, addressing the opposition, injury updates, red card and disciplinary improvements.
Reflecting on Last Season’s Brighton Frustration
Mikel Arteta recalled Declan Rice’s controversial red card in last year’s 1-1 draw at the Emirates: “I remember it very well. I was very hacked off – or pissed off – with the manner that we played with 10 men.” He hopes for a different outcome: “Hopefully it’s going to be very different this time.” Praising Brighton, he said: “It’s a club that I admire a lot… Under Fabian Hurzeler, they’re flexible, hard to dominate.”
On discipline, Arteta noted rule changes: “I think the rules are different now around delaying restarts. We paid a big price for that rule last season. Hopefully that stays away, and we continue to play with 11 players”. Arsenal top the Fair Play table with no red card this season.
Positive Update on Kai Havertz
Arteta was optimistic about Havertz, sidelined since August with a knee injury: “Quite close. I think it will be a matter of days, if not weeks. Let’s see in the next steps how he responds.” He praised Havertz‘s rehab: “He’s destroyed all the metrics in the gym… He’s a player that we’ve missed a lot, a player that brings the team into a different dimension. So, really happy to have him back very soon.” His return could boost a misfiring attack.
🗣️Mikel Arteta when asked how long it is going to take for #Arsenal man Kai Havertz to be back to full fitness: "I think it will be a matter of days, if not weeks. Let's see in the next step how Kai responds to that. He's a player that we missed a lot, a player that brings the… pic.twitter.com/4iUFGgHigo
— Arsenal News Channel (@Arsenalnewschan) December 26, 2025
Cautious News on Gabriel Magalhaes
Less positive for defender Gabriel, out with a hamstring injury: “We’ll have to wait and see. He hasn’t trained with the team yet; he’s still doing his individual rehab. Hopefully as quick as possible because we know the situation in the backline.”
As league leaders, Arsenal aim to maintain composure and extend their lead in this festive fixture.
As featured on GoonerNews.com
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