Possible Hincapié and Zubimendi return dates revealed and Arsenal fans will be relieved

At the very start of a period of nine matches in three competitions in 28 days, Mikel Arteta's squad depth is more important than ever. Thus, losing not one but two important figures during a warm down session after a game, of all times, is far from ideal.

Following Saturday's come from behind 2-1 victory over Leeds, those who saw very few minutes, or none at all, took part in a small-sided game on the pitch after full time. Two of those involved, namely Piero Hincapié and Martín Zubimendi, both picked up injuries, and no one is quite sure how.

Speaking during his pre-LOSC Lille Champions League press conference on Monday afternoon, Mikel Arteta, in usual fashion, said that we have to wait and see just how bad both issues are. Well, do we now have a bit more clarity?

As reported by John Cross of the Mirror, Hincapié has suffered a sprained ankle and is set to be sidelined for around three weeks. This, obviously, is not ideal, but could have been significantly worse. Meantime, Zubimendi "could be back for the weekend", having sustained nothing more than a knock.

Of course, neither of these players have actually started a Premier League game this season. However, as already mentioned, with games coming thick and fast, Arteta needs everybody. At left-back, he has to be careful with Calafiori, the Italian cannot play 90 minutes every three days, so expect to see either Myles Lewis-Skelly or Jurriën Timber rotated in against Lille.

Meantime, Arsenal do have numerous midfield options, albeit if Lewis-Skelly is required at left-back, that area does look a little thiner. Thus, having Zubimendi back in time for Sunday's visit to the City Ground would be a massive boost.

This may be unrelated, but Hincapié has not exactly had a clean bill of health this season. He missed the EFL Cup trip to Ipswich due to a muscle issues, before then sitting out Ecuador's games against Korea Republic, Japan and then Panama in Tōkyō due to injury. Nevertheless, initial fears were that the 24 year old could be sidelined for months so, if he is indeed only out for three weeks, that will be viewed as great news.

Arsenal fixtures Piero Hincapié is set to miss

• Tuesday 13 October: LOSC Lille (H). Champions League - Kick off 8pm.

• Sunday 18 October: Nottingham Forest (A). Premier League - Kick off 4:30pm.

• Wednesday 21 October: Bayern Munich (A). Champions League - Kick off 8pm.

• Saturday 24 October: Everton (H). Premier League - Kick off 3pm.

• Tuesday 27 October: Fleetwood Town (A). EFL Cup - Kick off 8pm.

• Sunday 1 November: Liverpool (A). Premier League - Kick off 4:30pm.

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