Arsenal and Aston Villa are set for a seismic Premier League clash on Tuesday, a match that could define the title race, but both sides are grappling with a significant injury crisis. The Gunners, fresh from a win against Brighton, know victory will send them top as 2026 begins. However, Unai Emery's in-form Villa, riding an 11-game winning streak after a comeback victory at Chelsea, stand just three points behind and are determined to disrupt those plans.
Major Absences for Title Contenders
The treatment rooms at both clubs are busy. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta confirmed several key players will miss the vital fixture. Defender Jurrien Timber, who felt an issue in the previous match against Crystal Palace, is ruled out. Fellow defender Ben White is also sidelined, though Arteta described it as not a "major injury" and praised White as a "fast healer."
In midfield, the Gunners will be without Max Dowman, who suffered an injury last weekend and is expected to be out for weeks. There is better news regarding Kai Havertz, who has returned to training, but Arteta suggested his comeback is still "a matter of days, if not weeks."
Aston Villa's Defensive Worries
Villa's challenges are equally severe, particularly in defence. Manager Unai Emery confirmed that central defenders Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres remain unavailable. Mings is "getting better" but is still a few weeks away, while Torres is expected to miss another one to two weeks.
Further up the pitch, Ross Barkley is a long-term absentee with a knee injury and won't return until February. The squad is also affected by international duty, with Evann Vidjannagni Guessand away at the African Cup of Nations.
Fitness Doubts and Late Decisions
The major doubt for the match surrounds Arsenal's Riccardo Calafiori. The defender is struggling with muscular fatigue, and while not officially ruled out, it is considered unlikely he will be risked in such a high-stakes game given the quick turnaround.
Emery indicated no fresh returns for Villa, stating his squad situation remains largely "the same." For Arsenal, the absence of Cristhian Mosquera, who Arteta confirmed will be "out for weeks" with a more serious issue than initially hoped, adds to their selection headache.
This collision between the league's top two promises high drama, but the sheer volume of absentees—nine confirmed outs and one major doubt—will force both tactical masterminds, Arteta and Emery, to devise plans without some of their most influential players. The outcome may hinge on which manager best navigates this injury crisis.
