Arsenal sweat on Hincapié and Zubimendi fitness ahead of Lille clash
Arsenal will assess fresh ankle injuries to Piero Hincapié and Martín Zubimendi on Monday, leaving both players in doubt for Tuesday’s Champions League meeting with Lille.
Warm-down injuries disrupt Lille preparations
Hincapié and Zubimendi were hurt during a post-match session on Saturday after Arsenal’s Premier League win over Leeds. Neither player began that league game, but both had been in line to play a part against Lille.
Mikel Arteta said the issue came after the coaching staff arranged extra work for squad members who had not played enough minutes.
“We had planned a session after the match for the players,” Arteta said. “They had not had enough minutes to get everyone up to the right level, and in two very unlucky incidents we lost two players.”
Arsenal’s manager stood by the decision to keep his substitutes physically prepared, arguing that players cannot be expected to make an immediate difference if they lack match rhythm.
Arteta said the same injuries could have occurred at Emirates Stadium or in training the following day. He added that, without knowing the future, he could not simply send every player to recover in the jacuzzi instead.
Arsenal’s injury sequence
- Arsenal beat Leeds in the Premier League on Saturday.
- Players short of match minutes completed additional work after the final whistle.
- Hincapié and Zubimendi each suffered ankle problems in separate incidents.
- Medical scans are scheduled for Monday before decisions are made on their availability and recovery periods.
- Arsenal host Lille in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Saliba return remains weeks away
There was more encouraging news on William Saliba, who has returned to individual training after the back injury he sustained at the World Cup. However, Arteta has made clear that the France centre-back is still several weeks from a competitive comeback.
Gabriel Magalhães is therefore expected to continue alongside Ezri Konsa at centre-back against Lille.
Gabriel has also addressed the penalty he missed in the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain. The defender admitted he was disappointed but insisted the experience will not stop him taking responsibility again.
“I was upset because I did not want to miss,” Gabriel said. “But I have learned from it, and if another chance comes, I will be ready to take it.”
What Arsenal must solve next
- The scan results will establish whether Hincapié and Zubimendi can face Lille or require a longer lay-off.
- Zubimendi’s potential absence would create an immediate midfield selection problem for Arteta.
- Saliba will not be rushed, with Arsenal aiming to bring him back only when he is fully ready.
- Gabriel and Konsa are set to carry the central defensive workload in the European tie.
