Arsenal will be without Piero Hincapié and Martín Zubimendi for Tuesday's Champions League meeting with Lille after both players picked up injuries in a post-match training session following the 2-1 Premier League win over Leeds. Mikel Arteta confirmed the news in his pre-match press conference, describing the timing as "far from ideal" with a significant European fixture looming.
According to the BBC, the session had been arranged for squad members who had not accumulated enough minutes against Leeds, giving the group a chance to recover rhythm on Sunday rather than sit idle between fixtures. It was during that low-key, routine work - the sort of recovery session clubs run every week, much like fans unwinding with something as low-stakes as mine slot inout after a long day - that Hincapié suffered a new problem in his right leg and Zubimendi was also affected. Arteta was blunt about the outcome, saying Arsenal "lost two players" in what he called "two very unfortunate actions."
Scans to Determine Recovery Timelines
Arteta confirmed both players would undergo further medical scans before any return date can be set, but he was clear on the immediate consequence: neither will be involved against Lille. The Ecuadorian defender's situation was described by the manager as "appears more serious," though no definitive diagnosis or timeframe has yet been given pending the results of those tests. Zubimendi's case will be watched closely given his growing importance in Arsenal's midfield since his move from Real Sociedad.
Frustration Over Pitch-Side Response
The Guardian reported that Arteta appeared unhappy with how Hincapié was initially helped off the training pitch, with reserve goalkeeper Illan Meslier giving the defender a piggyback rather than the squad waiting for a stretcher. Asked about injury prevention more broadly, Arteta responded with dry humour - "Never train and they don't get injured" - while also making the serious point that players left out of matchday squads for long stretches can lose rhythm and sharpness, a factor he suggested contributed to the circumstances around the session.
Squad Implications Against Lille
With Hincapié and Zubimendi ruled out, Arsenal's defensive and midfield options for Lille are already taking shape. The Guardian suggested Gabriel Magalhães is likely to continue alongside Ezri Konsa at the back, continuing a partnership Arteta has leaned on in recent fixtures. Gabriel also addressed his penalty miss in the Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, stating he would be ready to step up again if the opportunity arises. Arteta was unequivocal on the headline absentees, telling reporters: "They're both going to miss tomorrow's match, that's for sure," leaving his coaching staff to finalise a matchday squad shaped by two untimely setbacks on the eve of a key European test.
