CONFIRMED PREDICTED Arsenal XI vs Fulham: team news and injury updates 

The Gunners’ injury woes are easing heading into January

Arsenal can welcome back Kai Havertz for Sunday’s trip to Fulham.

The midfielder missed the Gunners’ 2-0 defeat to West Ham on Thursday night due to suspension.

Before that, Havertz was the only player in the Arsenal squad to feature in every game this season and he should return to the team for Sunday’s match at Craven Cottage.

Mikel Arteta will be without Jurrien Timber (knee) and Fabio Vieira (groin), but it remains to be seen if Takehiro Tomiyasu and Thomas Partey return.

Tomiyasu has been out since the start of this month due to a calf problem and Partey injured his thigh in October.

Both players are due to be away on international duty next month. Tomiyasu will be with Japan at the Asian Cup and Partey is set to play for Ghana at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Partey and Tomiyasu are hoping to play for Arsenal before they go away and Sunday is the penultimate chance for them to do so.

Arsenal play Liverpool in the FA Cup third round on January 7, but after that they do not play again until the 20th – by which time the Asian Cup and Africa Cup of Nations will have started.

Predicted Arsenal XI: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Rice, Havertz; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli

Doubts: Tomiyasu (calf), Partey (thigh) Injuries: Timber (knee), Vieira (groin)

Arsenal squad from: Ramsdale, Raya, Hein; Gabriel, Cedric, Kiwior, Saliba, White, Zinchenko; Elneny, Havertz, Jorginho, Odegaard, Rice, Smith Rowe; Jesus, Martinelli, Nelson, Nketiah, Saka and Trossard