Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Piero Hincapie and Martín Zubimendi will miss Arsenal’s Champions League match against Lille on Tuesday after both suffered ankle injuries during a post-match warm-down following Saturday’s victory over Leeds.
The pair are due to undergo scans on Monday to establish the extent of their injuries. Arteta said Hincapie’s problem appeared more serious, leaving Arsenal facing the prospect of further defensive and midfield absences as they prepare for their next European fixture.
Arsenal had planned additional work after the match against Leeds because several players needed more playing time. Hincapie and Zubimendi, neither of whom has started a Premier League game this season, were expected to feature against Lille.
“We had a training session planned after the game for the players,” Arteta said. “They didn’t have enough minutes to get everybody in the right rhythm and in two very unfortunate actions, we lost two players.”
The manager described the injuries as “far from ideal” but defended the decision to hold the session, arguing that players who lack match fitness can struggle when called upon. He said injuries could happen during training as well as matches and that the incident would not necessarily lead him to change Arsenal’s routine.
“If I knew I had a crystal ball clear, I’d say: ‘Guys, go in the Jacuzzi, everybody, I’ll see you tomorrow,’” he said.
Arteta declined to discuss an apparent disagreement over the handling of Hincapie immediately after the injury. The reserve goalkeeper Illan Meslier had carried the defender off the pitch on his back rather than waiting for a stretcher.
“That’s something else not to discuss here,” Arteta said. “Today they’re going to have a further scan and probably tomorrow we’ll know more and then we’ll see how they’re going to go.”
There was more encouraging news concerning William Saliba, who has resumed individual training while recovering from the back injury he sustained at the World Cup. The France defender remains weeks away from a possible return, according to Arteta, who is unwilling to rush his recovery.
“We’re still talking about weeks,” he said.
Gabriel Magalhães is likely to partner Ezri Konsa again against Lille, the club the Brazil defender formerly represented. Gabriel also insisted he would be prepared to take another penalty in a shootout despite missing the decisive spot-kick in Arsenal’s Champions League final defeat by Paris Saint-Germain in May.
“I was sad, and I didn’t want to miss a penalty, but I have learned from this and if I have another opportunity, I will be ready to take it,” he said.
Arteta also wants Bukayo Saka to turn his recent form into a greater return of goals for Arsenal. The forward has scored five times in his past four appearances for England, prompting work on moving him into more central positions to finish attacks.
“He has been getting in great positions, getting shots, getting one-touch finishes and tap-ins,” Arteta said. “That is the kind of unpredictability we have with that player, otherwise we know how the opponent is going to defend him.”
Arteta believes Saka could already have scored several more goals this season and wants him to set targets based on his output in individual matches.
“He could have had another four or five goals by now, easily,” he said. “But if he continues like that, we know.”
