Arsenal are set to host Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday - but the two teams will be without a number of players through injury and other issues
07:00, 24 Jan 2026
Riccardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapie are both back in Arsenal training
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Riccardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapie are both back in Arsenal training(Image: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
Arsenal are aiming to edge closer to Premier League glory this weekend when they take on Manchester United. The Gunners are currently seven points clear at the top of the table with Manchester City behind them.
United will be seeking to derail their ambitions when they visit the Emirates Stadium on Sunday (4.30pm kick-off), with Michael Carrick's team hoping to secure consecutive victories. Arsenal had United to thank for their unexpected title boost last weekend, as the Red Devils dented rivals Manchester City's championship dreams with a convincing 2-0 triumph at Old Trafford.
This weekend, the pair clash with United aiming to strengthen their prospects of securing Champions League qualification, and should results favour them, they could find themselves in the top-four by month's end.
Arsenal are battling against the clock to ensure both Piero Hincapie and Riccardo Calafiori are available for Sunday's fixture. The Gunners' defensive alternatives returned to training on Friday in preparation for the encounter. Arteta commented: "Yeah we have another training session. We'll see and make a decision on the squad."
Calafiori sustained an injury during the warm-up ahead of December's triumph against Brighton. The defender has been absent for the previous eight matches in all competitions due to a muscular problem, though he has gradually worked his way back to full fitness.
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Hincapie, the Bayer Leverkusen loanee, has been unavailable since being withdrawn during the scoreless stalemate with reigning champions Liverpool earlier this month. A groin problem has ruled the Ecuadorian out of contention. However, his comeback to training provides Arteta with welcome reinforcement in defensive areas.
Speculation has surfaced in the past 24 hours suggesting Arsenal harbour concerns regarding Kai Havertz's physical condition. The German international has recovered from a significant knee problem, yet he remains in wait for his second league start of the campaign.
Kai Havertz returned for Arsenal during their FA Cup clash with Portsmouth
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Kai Havertz returned for Arsenal during their FA Cup clash with Portsmouth(Image: Robin Jones/Getty Images)
The 26-year-old encountered a complication during his recovery process, though he did manage to feature amongst Arsenal's substitutes in late December. His battle to achieve peak condition will persist, with suggestions that his playing time will be carefully monitored.
Max Dowman continues his spell on the sidelines following an ankle ligament injury sustained in a private friendly match. That encounter was, coincidentally, against Sunday's adversaries, Man Utd, last month.
For United, the positive atmosphere has returned following their remarkable victory against City. Nevertheless, they will travel to face the Premier League leaders without Matthijs de Ligt, as his rehabilitation is taking longer than initially anticipated.
The Netherlands international could make his comeback within the next fortnight. However, complications with his back problem have caused a minor setback to his anticipated return.
Matthijs de Ligt
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Matthijs de Ligt will miss Man United's trip to Arsenal(Image: Getty Images)
Carrick said: "He had a bit of setback before I arrived, only small. He was a little bit slower than we had liked. He's getting closer. Hopefully in the next couple of weeks he will be back and around it."
Joshua Zirkzee will likewise be absent for the journey to the capital, amid ongoing speculation about his future. The Dutch striker was compelled to pull out of the City triumph with a knock, and has been unavailable for preparations ahead of the Arsenal fixture.
The United caretaker boss said: "I will not tell you the team. No everyone came through the game really well actually. It has been a good week. A big result, a big performance and a big uplift with the feeling inside the stadium.
"It is finding a balance between getting the encouragement and confidence from the game and performance and keeping level headed and keeping our feet on the ground.
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"We have got another big game coming up. One game does not make a great team. It gives us a great foundation to build on. There's a lot of confidence, a lot of good feeling in the group but measured with that is we know what is coming - and we have got to be ready for it."