Arsenal Stars Injured in Post-Match Training Session

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has described the injuries sustained by Piero Hincapie and Martin Zubimendi during a post-match training session as "far from ideal." The incidents occurred following Arsenal's 2-1 Premier League victory over Leeds United at Emirates Stadium.

The training session was organized for players who had not participated for the full duration of the match. Hincapie, an Ecuador defender, had to be carried off during the session, while Spain midfielder Zubimendi also sustained an injury. Both players had limited involvement in the preceding game, with Hincapie coming on as a late substitute and Zubimendi remaining an unused substitute.

"We had a training session planned after the match for everyone that didn't get enough minutes, and in two unfortunate actions we lost two players," Arteta stated in a news conference ahead of the Champions League match against Lille. "They'll have further scans to see where they are and we'll have that time frame for how long they are going to be out for."

When questioned about preventing such injuries, Arteta humorously suggested that the players should avoid training altogether, but acknowledged the need for match fitness. "Never train and 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 explained. "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? If I had a crystal ball I would just say 'guys, get in the jacuzzi and I will see you tomorrow'."

Hincapie, 24, has made three brief Premier League appearances this season and started in Arsenal's Champions League win against Napoli. Zubimendi, 27, has also primarily been used as a substitute, featuring in five Premier League matches from the bench.