Arsenal facing double injury worry for Lille clash after Leeds win
Arsenal's trip to face Lille in the Champions League has been complicated by a fresh fitness concern, with Martin Zubimendi now reportedly in doubt alongside the already confirmed absence of Piero Hincapie.
Hincapie's injury was confirmed following Arsenal's weekend victory over Leeds United, with the defender expected to miss the midweek European fixture. Arsenal were far from fluent against Leeds, needing a measure of fortune to see off a competitive Leeds side as players returned from the international break looking short of sharpness.
The Friday Injury Tracker
Who's out, who's back and what it means for the next two games.
Zubimendi doubt adds to selection headache
According to Sports Mole, Zubimendi has also picked up an injury problem and is expected to be unavailable for the trip to face the Ligue 1 side. The Spanish midfielder has been a regular fixture in Mikel Arteta's side since his move from Real Sociedad, and his potential absence would leave a notable gap in the middle of the park.
Losing both players for the same fixture represents a genuine concern for Arsenal as they prepare for a difficult European away day. Arteta will need to find solutions in both defence and midfield without two players who have become important parts of his setup this season.
Champions League ambitions remain high
Arsenal reached last season's Champions League final and will be determined to go a step further this time around. That ambition means results in the group stage carry real weight, and dropping points against sides like Lille would complicate the path toward the knockout rounds.
Lille are expected to provide a stern test, and Arsenal cannot afford to take the French side lightly regardless of who is missing. The squad will need to show depth and adaptability if Hincapie and Zubimendi are both ruled out, with Arteta likely to shuffle his options to cover the gaps left in defence and midfield.
Maintaining consistency across multiple competitions will be key as the fixture list intensifies. Arsenal have made a positive start to the campaign, and a disciplined performance against Lille would help keep that momentum going into the next international break.
