Spotted: Arsenal duo return to training as Mikel Arteta handed major boost ahead of Man United
Mikel Arteta will be more confident of Arsenal sealing an important three points against Man United after his team’s latest injury updates.
Arsenal drew 0-0 against Nottingham Forest, but still moved seven points clear at the top of the Premier League table, before jetting out to Italy for a convincing win over Inter Milan.
The list of injuries has shortened in North London over the last few weeks, with Gabriel Jesus returning to the Arsenal lineup with a bang, netting a brace at the San Siro in the Champions League.
Declan Rice, Gabriel Magalhaes, Cristhian Mosquera, and Kai Havertz have all had lengthy spells on the sidelines at some point during the 2025-26 season, but there appears to be light at the end of the tunnel.
Piero Hincapie and Riccardo Calafiori set for Arsenal returns
Riccardo Calafiori pulled out of facing Brighton, while Piero Hincapie has not featured since limping off against Liverpool at the beginning of January.
This has left the Gunners extremely light across the backline, even with Gabriel back with William Saliba, ahead of David Raya. And yet, Arteta’s side continue to pull off result after result this season.
Next up is a huge clash with Man United on Sunday, 25 January, a team that appears revitalised under Michael Carrick, who produced an incredible performance against Man City at the weekend.
And now, both Calafiori and Hincapie have been spotted back in first-team training by Sky Sports’ Sam Blitz, meaning that youngster Max Dowman is the only absentee ahead of facing the Red Devils.
Who could Man United be without for the Premier League clash?
Against Man City, Carrick was only without Noussair Mazraoui due to international duty, Matthijs de Ligt due to an injury, and Shea Lacey following his red card against Brighton in the FA Cup.
There do not appear to be any new injury problems at Old Trafford, with all normal players now available for the interim manager, but that could change once his press conference starts.
Despite a rollercoaster of a campaign so far, the Red Devils are only one point off the top-four spots, while the Gunners could extend their lead at the top of the table.
That is highly unlikely, with Pep Guardiola‘s side taking on Wolves and Aston Villa facing Newcastle United, but it would not totally be out of the question for both of the rivals to slip up.
Arteta appears to have a full squad at his disposal ahead of the clash, which he has not been able to say for quite some time, and that will be a huge boost for the Gunners.