Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta confirmed that defender Piero Hincapie and midfielder Martin Zubimendi sustained injuries during a post-match workout following Saturday`s 2-1 Premier League victory over Leeds United. The training session took place at Emirates Stadium for squad members who either played limited minutes or remained on the bench. Both players joined the North London club last summer, with 24-year-old Ecuador international Hincapie featuring in the 82nd minute against Leeds, while 27-year-old Spanish international Zubimendi remained an unused substitute.
The post-match session disrupted preparations ahead of Tuesday`s European fixture.
Speaking ahead of the Champions League match against Lille, Arteta described the setback as far from ideal, explaining that two unfortunate incidents occurred during routine drills planned for players needing match conditioning. The manager stated that medical evaluations and scans would determine the severity and expected recovery timeframe for both individuals. Addressing queries about risk management, Arteta noted that eliminating training would prevent injuries but leave players without operational rhythm or competitive effectiveness when called into action.
The manager added that such training injuries had not occurred during his seven years at the club.
Under Arsenal`s training structure, players with reduced match exposure participate in small-sided pitch drills immediately following fixtures so the entire squad can observe a shared rest day on Sunday before regrouping on Monday. Arteta organizes these sessions to maintain uniform physical output across the squad amid demanding fixture schedules. He confirmed that Hincapie`s ankle problem appeared more severe than Zubimendi`s injury.
Substitute goalkeeper Illan Meslier carried Hincapie off the pitch on his back despite medical personnel being present.
Arteta appeared visibly dissatisfied with that handling, remarking that the matter was not something to discuss publicly. Hincapie has made three substitute appearances in the Premier League this season alongside a start in the Champions League victory over Napoli, while Zubimendi has made five appearances off the bench in domestic competition. The absence of both depth options complicates Arsenal`s rotation strategy ahead of key domestic and continental fixtures.
