Sportsupdated 2h ago2 min read
Mikel Arteta Confirms Hincapié Right-Leg Injury, Zubimendi Setback Ahead of Lille
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Hincapié suffers right-leg injury and is unavailable for Lille clash. Zubimendi also injured post-Leeds; both out of Tuesday Champions League match.
Injuries after Leeds win
Mikel Arteta confirmed that Piero Hincapié suffered a new injury to his right leg and will not be available initially for the match against Lille in the Champions League. Arteta said the setback occurred in a post-match session after Arsenal’s 2-1 victory over Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium, where the Ecuadorian defender appeared in the final minutes. Arteta added that Martín Zubimendi was also affected by the same period of “two very unfortunate actions,” and he said the Ecuadorian’s case “appears more serious” as he will undergo medical tests to determine the recovery time.
The BBC reported that Arteta described the situation as “far from ideal” after Hincapié and Zubimendi were injured in a post-match training session following Arsenal’s 2-1 Premier League win against Leeds. Arsenal’s Champions League clash with Lille was set up as the immediate next test, with Arteta saying scans would determine how long the players would be out.
Arteta, Meslier, and scans
Arteta told reporters that Arsenal had planned a training session after the game for players who did not have enough minutes so everyone could have recovery on Sunday and regain the proper rhythm.
Arteta said, “In two very unfortunate actions, we lost two players. It’s not good news,” and he explained that both players would have further scans to set a time frame for their return.
The BBC reported that goalkeeper Illan Meslier carried Hincapié off during the post-match session, and Arteta said the pair would have scans to see where they were and how long they would be out.
The Guardian said Arteta seemed disappointed with Meslier and his staff after the reserve goalkeeper gave Hincapié a piggyback off the pitch rather than waiting for a stretcher.
Arteta responded to questions about prevention by joking “Never train and they don’t get injured,” while he insisted that when players have to play they can lack rhythm and impact.
Saliba return, Lille stakes
William Saliba returned to training on his own as he built towards a return to first team action, and Arteta said he was “over a week” on the grass while Arsenal managed his load. Arteta said Arsenal would still be “talking about weeks” for Saliba’s availability, and he described the decision-making as different depending on whether a return would come just before or just after the November international break. The Guardian said Gabriel Magalhães was likely to be partnered by Ezri Konsa again against Lille, while Gabriel said he would be ready to take another penalty after missing a crucial spot-kick in the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain.
Arsenal’s immediate squad planning for Lille was shaped by the confirmed absences of Hincapié and Zubimendi, with Arteta stating “They’re both going to miss tomorrow’s match, that’s for sure.” Arteta framed the Champions League matchup as a tough opponent, and he said, “We want to earn the right to play another final,” as Arsenal prepared to face Lille at home.