Arsenal await scans after Hincapie and Zubimendi suffer training injuries

Arsenal are awaiting further scans on Piero Hincapie and Martin Zubimendi after both players were injured during training following Saturday's 2-1 Premier League victory over Leeds at Emirates Stadium. According to BBC Sport, manager Mikel Arteta confirmed the setbacks at his news conference before Tuesday's Champions League meeting with Lille, with the length of either player's absence still to be established.

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The session involved players who had not completed the match or had not appeared at all. Hincapie, the 24-year-old Ecuador defender, entered the game in the 82nd minute, while Spain midfielder Zubimendi, 27, remained on the bench. Both subsequently took part in the additional work, which Arteta said resulted in injuries in two separate incidents.

BBC Sport reported that the players were taking part in a small-sided game, an arrangement Arteta regularly uses for squad members who need more playing time. Holding the session at the stadium after the Leeds match was intended to allow the entire squad to recover on Sunday before returning to training on Monday. The aim was to keep players' workloads similar during a busy schedule.

Hincapie suffered an ankle injury that Arteta described as more serious than Zubimendi's problem, according to the BBC report. Goalkeeper Illan Meslier carried the defender off the pitch on his back, despite staff being present. Arteta indicated he was unhappy about that aspect of the incident but declined to discuss it further at the news conference. He did not provide a confirmed recovery timetable for either player.

Asked whether the injuries could have been prevented, Arteta defended the need for players to train when they have had limited match involvement. He said avoiding training would leave them without the rhythm needed to contribute when selected. The manager also said this had not happened during his seven years at Arsenal and that injuries could just as easily occur in training the following day.

Both players have predominantly been used from the bench in the Premier League this season. Hincapie has made three substitute appearances in the competition, while Zubimendi has made five. Hincapie also started Arsenal's Champions League victory over Napoli last month. Further scans will inform how long the pair will be unavailable as Arsenal prepare for their next European fixture.