For the second year running, Arsenal's first post-Christmas fixture sees the Gunners welcome London rivals West Ham United to their Emirates base in a Premier League tie scheduled for Thursday evening.
Mikel Arteta's men celebrated the festivities with a first-placed ranking in the table, having played out a chaotic 1-1 draw with close challengers Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday evening.
However, with both Liverpool and Aston Villa in action on Boxing Day, the Gunners could have been dethroned by the time Thursday's capital clash rolls around.
Here, Sports Mole rounds up Arsenal's injury and suspension news ahead of the clash with the Irons, who bested Manchester United 2-0 last weekend.
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Status: Out
Type of injury: Calf
Possible return date: January 7 (vs. Liverpool)
Earlier this month, Takehiro Tomiyasu was ruled out for "weeks" with the calf injury he sustained against Wolverhampton Wanderers, but Arsenal are apparently optimistic that he will be back for their FA Cup third-round encounter with Liverpool on January 7.
© Reuters
Status: Out
Type of injury: Knee
Possible return date: Unknown
One man who will certainly not be returning for that knockout battle is Jurrien Timber, who is still working his way back from an excruciating ACL injury and is targeting a return in the latter stages of the season.
© Reuters
Status: Out
Type of injury: Thigh
Possible return date: January 7 (vs. Liverpool)
Thomas Partey underwent an operation on a thigh injury at the end of October and will remain sidelined for Thursday's game, but there is also hope that he will be in contention to feature in next month's FA Cup opener.
© Reuters
Status: Out
Type of injury: Groin
Possible return date: January 20 (vs. Crystal Palace)
Fabio Vieira should be back in red and white at some point in January too, having been forced to go under the knife to address a groin injury, but it will still be another few weeks before he is considered for selection again.
ARSENAL'S SUSPENSION LIST
Kai Havertz
© Reuters
Return date: December 31 (vs. Fulham)
Kai Havertz - who has gradually started to come into his own at the Emirates - will miss the visit of West Ham on account of receiving his fifth yellow card of the season at Anfield.
Ben Knapton
