Mikel Arteta dey face selection headache ahead of crucial European night after Piero Hincapie suffer concerning injury setback. The Ecuador international bin forced to leave pitch in distress shortly after final whistle of Arsenal hard-fought victory over Leeds United.
Arsenal injury concerns don ease well well as Champions League return dey near. International break bin tough for Gunners, with high-profile setbacks and other scares involving important players. But Kai Havertz and Ezri Konsa both pass late fitness tests to start against Leeds as Arsenal come from behind to mark return to Premier League action with hard-fought win. Ben White return to team after missing two games before international break. Declan Rice play full 90 minutes after dem rest am upon withdrawing from England duty right at start of extended three-week window. So Arsenal dey good shape as dem prepare for visit of Olivier Giroud’s Lille to Emirates Stadium in Champions League.
Hincapie na victim of horrid luck as he pick ankle injury after Saturday defeat of Leeds. Dem carry am off pitch after knock during warm-down. Severity of injury no known yet and doubt cast over him involvement in this week Champions League meeting with Lille. Potential return date unknown.
Christos Tzolis suffer hamstring injury in Greece penultimate Nations League fixture, 2-2 draw at home against Netherlands. Initially e refuse to come off after treatment, according to Greece head coach Ivan Jovanovic, winger eventually replaced in 18th minute and e suppose undergo scan before return to Arsenal. Reports talk say Tzolis fit out up to three weeks. Mikel Arteta deliver update in pre-Leeds press conference. Arteta talk say, ‘Tzolis get muscle injury, and he go dey out for few weeks. He no available yet.’ If three-week timeframe correct, Tzolis go back in contention for visit of Everton to north London on October 24, followed by trip to Fleetwood in Carabao Cup last 16 and showdown with Liverpool at Anfield. Potential return date: Saturday October 24, vs Everton H.
Arsenal depth strong sotey Cristhian Mosquera miss matchday squad despite returning to full fitness during international break. Spaniard never play at all since he sustain hamstring problem during 1-0 win over Aston Villa on August 31. But now e fit again and e can help bolster Arteta defensive options against Lille as UEFA rules allow up to 12 substitutes in Champions League fixture. Potential return date: Tuesday October 13, vs Lille H.
William Saliba never play for Arsenal this season due to long-term back injury wey he exacerbate while on duty for France at World Cup finals this summer. Though e avoid surgery, dem expect say he go sideline for months in huge blow to Arteta. No new official updates on Saliba lately, with Arteta previously insist say him progress strong but e no sure of exact timeframe for him return to pitch. Most recent reports from France claim say Saliba dey run again following positive scan and e target comeback around November or December.
For football side, Arsenal return to winning ways as domestic action return after extended international break. Arsenal did have to come from behind to take all three points after James Justin opener in second half. It no just three points give Arteta side boost, with few injury doubts able to start match. Kai Havertz and Ezri Konsa pass late fitness tests to start, Ben White return to team, and Declan Rice play full 90 minutes. But injury blow still show, with Arsenal appear to lose another player to injury after full-time whistle.
Injury: Ankle. Reports suggest say defender, wey come on as second-half substitute vs Leeds, pick ankle injury during cool-down. Latest go dey given on defender when Arteta next speak to media. Potential return date unknown.
Injury: Back. Defender dey continue recovery from back injury wey he suffer during World Cup. He never return to training, but hope say he go back available soon. Arteta talk say, ‘We no really know amount of weeks Wilo go dey out because na about healing process and everything different – we know we get to respect certain timings. The progression don positive well well in last few weeks, but we need wait and see how that one react when we start to put some load into it.’ Potential return date: November/December.
Injury: Hamstring. Winger suffer injury while in action for Greece during international break. Arteta talk say, ‘Yeah, he no available.’ Potential return date: Late October/November. Christos Tzolis suffer injury while on international duty.
Injury: Hamstring. Defender don miss last six matches due to injury. He don return to training, but dem leave am out of squad for match vs Leeds. Potential return date: Vs Lille H, Tues 13 October.
