Arsenal missing two key players for Champions League clash with Lille

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta will not call upon defender Piero Hincapié and midfielder Martín Zubimendi for Tuesday's home Champions League match against Lille, after both picked up an ankle injury on Saturday during a training session following the 2-1 win over Leeds United.

Piero Hincapié fell in the final stages of the training session and was carried on his back by goalkeeper Illan Meslier. Martín Zubimendi, who did not get any playing minutes against Leeds United, also suffered an ankle injury. Both players suffered an ankle injury, making their availability uncertain.

Training intended for recovery

Arteta explained that a session had been scheduled for players who had not logged enough minutes. The aim was to get everyone into a consistent rhythm for the busy match schedule. Arteta believes that equal workload helps the players cope better with the intensive match schedule.

‘We had scheduled a training session after the match for the players who had not logged enough minutes,’ said the Arsenal manager. ‘Because of two very unlucky incidents we have lost two players,’ he added, before noting that further scans would determine how long they will be out of rotation. He then joked: ‘Never train and they don’t get injured,’ and added that in seven years he had never seen such an incident.

Arsenal missing Hincapié and Zubimendi ahead of clash with LOSC

Champions League without two key players

Arsenal began the Champions League in September with a 1-0 away win at Napoli, but can now not rely on defender Hincapié and midfielder Zubimendi. Both players miss the home match against Lille on Tuesday. The absence of Hincapié, who strengthens the defence, and Zubimendi, who provides creativity in midfield, limits Arteta’s options.

Hincapié, 24, has made three Premier League appearances off the bench this season and started the Champions League win at Napoli. Zubimendi, 27, has come on as a substitute five times in the Premier League. Both players have had a modest role so far, but their absence could put pressure on the rotation.

Lille seeks recovery after defeat

Lille lost their first Champions League match 2-3 to Real Betis. In that duel former Eredivisie player Ayase Ueda scored the opener for Lille, after which Troy Parrott netted the winning goal for Betis. The defeat leaves Lille trailing in the group stage, making every point crucial.

Saliba near return as Zubimendi and Hincapie miss Arsenal training

The injury blunder highlights the risks of extra training sessions, while Lille themselves must recover from a disappointing start. The upcoming clash tests Arsenal’s depth without two of their rotation players. For Arsenal this means that the bench and younger talents will have to be used more quickly.