Arsenal - and Fantasy Premier League players - will be hoping that Kai Havertz will be fit enough to return to the squad to face Brighton on Saturday evening.

The Gunners will take on the Seagulls at the Amex Stadium as they return to Premier League action for their second match of 2025. Arsenal started the year in perfect fashion with a 3-1 victory away at Brentford on New Year's Day to move up to second place in the table, leapfrogging Nottingham Forest in the process.

One player who was absent from the win at the Gtech Community Stadium was Havertz, who was understood to have been under the weather for the fixture. An illness bug has struck the Arsenal squad in recent days which has affected several players, including Havertz, and Mikel Arteta was asked about the current state of his squad during his pre-match press conference.

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Here, football.london takes a look at Havertz's chances of featuring for Arsenal against Brighton in the Premier League.

What has been said about Kai Havertz's injury for Arsenal?

When speaking to reporters on Friday, Arteta was asked if Havertz had a chance of playing for Arsenal against Brighton.

The Gunners boss was optimistic with his reply. "Yes I think so," said Arteta.

It wasn't just Havertz that Arteta provided an update on during the press conference. The Arsenal boss was also asked about the fitness of Raheem Sterling, who has been sidelined with a knee injury in recent weeks.

Arteta explained why he is hopeful that Sterling can return to the matchday squad very soon.

"I think he's starting to do some stuff on the pitch. Let's see how he progresses next week," said Arteta.

Arsenal will still be without Bukayo Saka, Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu through injury for the clash against Brighton. Jurrien Timber is also sidelined as he serves a one-match suspension for picking up five yellow cards.

Will Kai Havertz be fit for Arsenal to face Brighton for Gameweek 20?

Fantasy Premier League has given Havertz a 75% chance of playing for Arsenal against Brighton due to the illness that saw him miss the win over Brentford.

The Germany international has scored 12 goals in all competitions so far this season for Arsenal, including seven in the Premier League. Arteta will hope to be able to call on Havertz against Brighton on Saturday evening, with the forward scoring in his previous two top-flight matches against Crystal Palace and Ipswich Town.