Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has given a positive update on the Gunners’ injury situation ahead of Sunday’s Premier League trip to Nottingham Forest.
Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Piero Hincapie, Martin Zubimendi and Christos Tzolis are close to returning to action as Arsenal prepare to travel to Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
Hincapie injured his ankle in training after Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Leeds United last Saturday. The Ecuadorian was sent off by Illan Meslier and therefore missed Tuesday’s 3-0 Champions League win over Lille. Although Arteta has revealed that it is not a long-term problem and the defender is fighting his way back, he is ready to take part in the trip to The City Ground.
Speaking at his press conference before Forest, Arteta said: “Piero is also developing very well, he knows his character and the way he pushes everyone, I don’t think it will take long, probably a week or two.”
Zubimendi, meanwhile, also picked up an ankle injury in that session, although his condition is “much better” and Arteta hinted that the Spaniard could miss the Lille game against Forest.
“Zubi is doing better, we have another session tomorrow, let’s see how he develops,” Arteta said.
Tzolis did not feature for Arsenal before the international break. He has missed the last two matches with a muscle problem, but Arteta is confident he will be back soon.
“He’s been really good, he had an MRI yesterday and he’s progressing really well, hopefully we can be back in a few weeks,” Arteta said at the Greece international.
William Saliba is another injured Arsenal player, although the Frenchman is yet to feature this season after aggravating a back problem while playing for France at the World Cup.
Asked for an update on Saliba, who is set to return in November, Arteta said: “We have another MRI next week to see how he is progressing.”