Brighton v Arsenal: Gunners injury latest, Albion star set to return

© John Walton/PA Wire

Arsenal’s defensive injury crisis is set to continue on Boxing Day with Unai Emery likely to be without as many as five players for the trip to Brighton.

Rob Holding (knee), Konstantinos Mavropanos (groin), Nacho Monreal (muscular) and Hector Bellerin (calf) are definitely out.

Emery will be hopeful that Shkodran Mustafi can shake off a hamstring issue but playing him would be a risk, while playmaker Henrikh Mkhitaryan (ankle) will also be assessed and striker Danny Welbeck (ankle) is a long-term absentee.

Provisional squad: Leno, Cech, Martinez, Jenkinson, Lichtsteiner, Koscielny, Papastathopoulos, Mustafi, Medley, Maitland-Niles, Xhaka, Elneny, Torreira, Guendouzi, Ramsey, Iwobi, Mkhitaryan, Ozil, Saka, Lacazette, Aubameyang, Nketiah.

Shane Duffy will replace Lewis Dunk in central defence.

Duffy is available after a three-match ban and steps in for his usual defensive partner Dunk, who is now suspended following his red card against Bournemouth.

Wingers Alireza Jahanbakhsh (hamstring) and Jose Izquierdo (knee) are still out injured.

Provisional squad: Ryan, Steele, Button, Montoya, Suttner, Bruno, Duffy, White, Balogun, Bernardo, Bong, Stephens, Kayal, Bissouma, Propper, Gross, March, Knockaert, Murray, Locadia, Andone.