Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta revealed that two players, Piero Hincapie and Martin Zubimendi, sustained injuries during a post-match training session following the team’s Premier League victory over Leeds United on October 10. Hincapie, 24, who entered the match as a substitute in the 82nd minute, and Zubimendi, 27, who remained an unused substitute, both faced doubts over their availability for Arsenal’s Champions League fixture against Lille three days later.

Arteta described the situation as unprecedented during his seven-year tenure with the club, noting that injuries in such a context were highly unusual. The injuries occurred during an additional training session organized specifically for players who did not receive significant playing time against Leeds. “It’s never happened in seven years I’ve been here. It could happen in the training session the next day. It’s happened now and hopefully it doesn’t happen again, but what can you do?” Arteta said.

The manager explained that the supplementary training was intended to maintain match fitness and rhythm for squad members who might not get enough minutes in regular fixtures. “If they never train, they don’t get injured. The consequence of that is when you ask them to play, they have no rhythm and no impact in the game,” he added.

Both players were scheduled for further medical scans to determine the extent of their injuries and the expected recovery timelines. Hincapie made three Premier League appearances off the bench this season and started in Arsenal’s September Champions League win against Napoli. Meanwhile, Zubimendi has mostly been used as a substitute, appearing off the bench in five league matches this campaign.

Arsenal’s approach to post-match training underscores the club's focus on maintaining overall squad readiness but also highlights the risks involved in intense physical preparation following competitive matches. The team will be hoping for timely recoveries ahead of upcoming fixtures in both domestic and European competitions.