Arsenal have two more names on their injured list, and both of them would have probably been starters in tonight’s UEFA Champions League clash against Lille. After the win over Leeds United, we knew that defender Piero Hincapie had suffered an ankle injury, and that he would be doubtful for this midweek continental competition. It turns out that midfielder Martin Zubimendi has also suffered an ankle injury, with his problem occuring in a training session that occurred after the weekend win.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta confirmed the double injury blow in his prematch press conference yesterday.
UEFA Champions League
Arsenal vs Lille
Kickoff: Tues. Oct 13, 8pm
Venue: Emirates Stadium, London, UK
UCL Standing, Form: Arsenal 15th, 3 pts, W Lille 22nd, 0 pts, L
Arsenal Preview Material: Team News Predicted Starting XI
Google’s Result Probability: Arsenal win 78% Draw 14% Lille win 8%
“They’re both going to miss tomorrow’s match, that’s for sure,” said Arteta at his Monday presser. “Today they’re going to have a further scan and probably tomorrow we’ll know more and then we’ll see how they’re going to go.”
The concern is definitely much greater for Hincapie, with Arteta adding: “Piero’s one looks a little bit more serious, I think, but we’ll have to wait and see.” He might be out until after the November international break. As for Zubimendi, it is far too early to speculate on his return timeline.
Paul M. Banks is the Founding Editor of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He currently contributes to USA Today’s NFL Wires Network, Ratings and RG. His past bylines include the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. His work has been featured in numerous outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, Forbes and the Washington Post.