Arsenal head into the Manchester United match with a bit more hope on the injury front. Not loads. Not the clean bill of health Arteta would want. But something. Riccardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapie are both close to returning, while Max Dowman is still out. After two straight 0-0 draws in the league, Arsenal will take any small lift they can get.
WHY THIS MATCH MATTERS
Arsenal have not won a Premier League game since beating Bournemouth in their first match of 2026. Since then, it has been goalless draws against Liverpool and Nottingham Forest. Two games, no goals, and a bit of frustration building.
What makes it worse is the timing. Manchester City and Aston Villa have both dropped points recently, and Arsenal had a chance to create real breathing space. They did not. They are still seven points clear at the top, which is strong. But it feels less comfortable when the attack stalls and every chance starts to look heavy.
INTER WIN CHANGES THE MOOD
The Champions League helped. Arsenal beat Inter Milan away at the San Siro in midweek, keeping their perfect record in the league phase and locking in a top-two finish with a game to spare. That is not a small win. It settles players down. It settles supporters down too.
It also eased any noise around Bukayo Saka. He played the full 90 minutes in Milan, which usually ends the speculation quickly. If he was struggling, that doesn’t happen.
CALAFIORI SPOTTED BACK IN TRAINING
Calafiori has been sidelined since just after Christmas after pulling up in the warm-up before the Brighton game. A muscle injury has kept him out for eight games in all competitions. Arteta said last week the defender was “progressing” and that he hoped to have him back “soon.” That sounded vague at the time. It always does.
But things have shifted. Calafiori has been spotted in training ahead of the United game and there is now belief he could be available for selection on Sunday. That does not mean he starts. It might just mean the bench. A few minutes if needed. Still, it gives Arteta more control over his choices.
Potential return date: January 25 vs Manchester United (H)
HINCAPIE CLOSE AFTER GROIN INJURY
Hincapie has also been missing. He was forced off in the 0-0 draw with Liverpool on January 8, and it later emerged he suffered a groin injury. He has missed games against Portsmouth, Chelsea, Nottingham Forest and Inter.
Arteta stayed quiet on him for a while. But he gave a clearer update ahead of the United match. “We still have another training session, so we will see tomorrow after that,” Arteta said when asked about Calafiori and Hincapie. “After Inter we have no issues.”
It is not confirmation, but it is positive. Groin injuries can be awkward, especially for defenders. One wrong stretch and you lose another few weeks. Arsenal will manage him carefully.
Potential return date: January 25 vs Manchester United (H)
DOWMAN STILL OUT UNTIL LATE FEBRUARY
Max Dowman remains the long one. The teenager suffered ankle ligament damage in a behind-closed-doors game against Manchester United before Christmas and was ruled out for around two months.
He has also been removed from Arsenal’s Champions League squad, which tells you how the club views the timeline. Arteta has said Dowman is still “a few weeks away.” No rush. No point rushing.
Potential return date: Late February
WHAT THIS DOES FOR ARTETA
Even if Calafiori and Hincapie only return to the squad and do not start, it helps. It gives Arsenal options late in the match. It reduces strain on the defenders who have been playing through everything.
Arsenal’s biggest issue right now is goals, not defending. But squad balance still matters. A stronger defensive group lets the rest of the team play with more freedom. You take more risks when you feel protected. United will test that. They will wait for mistakes. They will try to break quickly.
AUTHOR’S INSIGHT
This is the kind of injury update Arsenal needed. Not dramatic, just useful. Calafiori and Hincapie returning at the same time gives Arteta flexibility again, even if it is only from the bench. Arsenal’s league lead is healthy, but they have missed chances to stretch it. Against United, they cannot afford another quiet attacking day. They need control, then a goal. Simple as that.
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