Arsenal’s recent 2‑1 Premier League victory over Leeds ended on a sour note when two squad members, Piero Hincapie and Martin Zubimendi, sustained injuries during a post‑match training session. Manager Mikel Arteta admitted the situation was “far from ideal” and confirmed that both players will undergo further scans to determine the extent of their injuries and the expected recovery period.
The injuries occurred during a routine session held at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, aimed at giving players who did not play the full 90 minutes in the Leeds match a chance to regain fitness. Hincapie, who was brought on in the 82nd minute of the match, was carried off by goalkeeper Illan Meslier after an incident on the pitch. Zubimendi, who had not appeared in the game, also suffered a knock during the same session. Arteta explained that the training was designed to keep the squad’s output consistent across the busy fixture schedule, especially for those who had limited minutes.
Arteta, speaking before the Champions League tie against Lille, noted that Hincapie’s ankle injury appeared more serious than Zubimendi’s. He added that the club would have the players undergo further examinations to establish a clear timeline for their return. When asked about preventing such injuries, Arteta joked that the players should have avoided training altogether, but acknowledged that this would compromise their readiness for matchday.
Hincapie has made three Premier League appearances as a substitute this season and started Arsenal’s Champions League win over Napoli last month. Zubimendi, meanwhile, has featured mainly from the bench, with five Premier League appearances so far. Both players are expected to miss at least a few weeks, though the exact duration will depend on the outcomes of the forthcoming scans.
Arsenal’s coaching staff will monitor the situation closely as the team prepares for its upcoming Champions League fixture. The club hopes the injuries do not derail the squad’s momentum and that both players can return to action in time for the next stages of the competition.