In the training session preparing for the match against Man United, Arsenal welcomed the return of two defenders, Riccardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapie. They participated fully in the training session and promised to be included in the registered squad, even starting at Emirates on Sunday.
Calafiori has been absent since the warm-up before the 2-1 victory over Brighton on December 27, 2025. Then on January 8, 2026, Hincapie suffered a hamstring injury in the goalless draw with Liverpool. The return of this pair is faster than expected and leaves many positive things for Mikel Arteta's preparation.
During the time Calafiori and Hincapie were absent, Arsenal had Jurrien Timber replace them in the left-back position in 2/4 of their most recent matches. Myles Lewis-Skelly started in the 4-1 victory over Portsmouth in the 3rd round of the FA Cup on January 11, along with the 3-1 victory over Inter in the middle of the week in the Champions League.
We have had training sessions to prepare for the match this weekend and will make all the most practical comments and assessments (about the situation of Calafiori and Hincapie). This is extremely important so it needs to be carefully considered" - Mikel Arteta shared.
Besides the recovery of Calafiori and Hincapie, Arteta also hopes that Kai Havertz can soon return to 100% fitness in the last months of the season, this is a decisive sprint. The 26-year-old German star has only made 3 appearances this season after missing most of the previous season due to a long-term hamstring injury and knee surgery.
Arsenal has a very good squad depth, but Arteta is not subjective because they are really strained in all 4 arenas. Before the 23rd round of the Premier League, in the press conference before the match against Wolves, Pep Guardiola of Man City assessed Arsenal as the best team in the world at the moment. When asked how he felt about Pep's comment, Arteta was very humble.
I think Arsenal still has many things to improve to make progress. The team is on the right track but has not been able to reach perfection. Arsenal's only goal is to maintain form and especially to adjust some details to become even better".
Arsenal have been unbeaten in their last 7 home games against Manchester United. This time, although not predicted to be simple, Mikel Arteta's team is expected to win to continue to create a gap with the chasing group behind.
