Hincapié and Zubimendi hurt in freak warm down injuries after Leeds win

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Arsenal's win over Leeds came with an unwanted twist on Saturday, as Piero Hincapié and Martín Zubimendi both picked up ankle injuries during a post-match warm down session, ruling them out of Tuesday's Champions League clash with Lille.

Mikel Arteta confirmed both players would have scans on Monday to assess the damage, but described Hincapié's injury as looking 'a little bit more serious'. The pair were set for extra training minutes after the 2-1 victory because neither had started a Premier League game this season, but the session ended in freak fashion for both.

'We had a training session planned after the game for the players,' Arteta explained. 'They didn't have enough minutes to get everybody in the right rhythm and in two very unfortunate actions, we lost two players.'

Arteta defends post-match routine

Despite the double blow, Arteta rejected any suggestion that Arsenal would alter their approach to post-match training for fringe players. He pointed out it was the first time such an incident had happened at the Emirates in his seven years at the club.

'That could happen at the Emirates; it never happened in the seven years I was here,' he said. 'It could happen the next day in the training session, and that has happened before, and hopefully it happens now and doesn't happen again. What can you do? If I knew I had a crystal ball clear, I'd say: Guys, go in the Jacuzzi, everybody, I'll see you tomorrow.'

The manager also appeared unimpressed by how Hincapié was taken off the pitch, with reserve goalkeeper Illan Meslier giving the defender a piggyback rather than waiting for a stretcher. 'That's something else not to discuss here,' Arteta said, adding that further scans and updates were expected in the following days.

Saliba boost offsets fresh setback

There was at least some positive news on the injury front, with William Saliba resuming individual training as he continues his recovery from the back injury sustained at the World Cup. Arteta was cautious about putting a timeline on the centre back's return, repeating only that the club are 'still talking about weeks'.

With Saliba still some way off and Hincapié and Zubimendi now added to the treatment room, Gabriel Magalhães is expected to continue alongside Ezri Konsa against Lille, a side he faced in the Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain. Gabriel addressed his missed penalty in that shootout, insisting it would not affect his willingness to step up again. 'I was sad, and I didn't want to miss a penalty, but I have learned from this and if I have another opportunity, I will be ready to take it,' he said.

As reported by the Guardian, further clarity on the severity of both injuries is expected once scan results come back. Arsenal will be hoping the damage is limited as the Champions League campaign continues.