Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Piero Hincapié and Martín Zubimendi will miss Arsenal's Champions League game at home to Lille on Tuesday. Both hurt their ankles in a training session on the Emirates Stadium pitch straight after Saturday's 2-1 Premier League win over Leeds United.
Speaking at his pre-match news conference on Monday, the Arsenal manager said both players were having further scans and that a timeframe was likely to be known on Tuesday. He added that Hincapié's injury "looks a little bit more serious".
How the injuries happened
Arsenal regularly hold a small-sided session after home games for players who did not play the full match, so the whole squad can take a recovery day together on Sunday. Hincapié came off the bench late against Leeds, and Zubimendi was an unused substitute. Hincapié was carried off during the session on the back of substitute goalkeeper Illan Meslier.
"In two very unfortunate actions, we lost two players, and yeah, not great," Arteta said. He called the timing "far from ideal", but defended the routine. He said it had never caused an injury in his seven years at the club, and that Arsenal ran the same session 37 times last season without a problem.
Arteta defends the routine
Asked how such injuries could be avoided, Arteta was blunt. "Very easy; don't train. Never train, and they don't get injured," he said. "The consequence to that is when they have to play, they have no rhythm."
He added: "If I knew I had a crystal ball, I'd say, guys, go in the jacuzzi, everybody, and see you tomorrow." Arteta said he would plan the week the same way again, because it is "a sport of contact, and this can happen". He would not discuss Meslier carrying Hincapié off, saying only: "That's something else, not to discuss here."
Saliba boost and what comes next
There was better news on William Saliba, who did individual work on the pitch on Monday as he recovers from his back injury. Arteta said Saliba's return was "still talking about weeks", possibly either side of the November international break.
Arsenal, second in the Premier League and three points behind Manchester City, face Lille without either player. The results of Monday's scans should show how long Hincapié and Zubimendi will be out.