Arsenal midfielder Martin Zubimendi was forced to sit out of Tuesday's 3-0 Champions League victory over Lille after picking up an injury in the post-match cool-down after last Saturday's 2-1 triumph over Leeds
Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino
Mikel Merino has confirmed Arsenal team-mate Martin Zubimendi is fine following his ankle injury scare
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Mikel Merino has revealed he was involved in the post-match cool-down collision that crocked compatriot Martin Zubimendi after Arsenal's 2-1 Premier League victory over Leeds.
Both Zubimendi and left-back Piero Hincapie sustained ankle injuries during separate incidents on the pitch at the Emirates Stadium as a cluster of players participated in a competitive training session.
Speaking after the 3-0 Champions League win over Lille, Merino told Spanish radio station Cadena SER : "He [Zubimendi] is fine, he had his ankle a little bit hurt due to an action with me and if there is anyone that doesn't want to hurt him, it's me but it was a freak accident in training but he's fine, he is a bull and recovers quickly."
Mikel Arteta has since confirmed Zubimendi, who was unable to feature against Les Dogues, is in contention to face Nottingham Forest this weekend while Hincapie is expected to be sidelined for "a matter of weeks."
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The Arsenal manager said: "Zubi is much, much better. Piero is improving, but as I said, he looks more significant. I think it will be a matter of weeks, I think.
"We don't know exactly how many. Zubi is improving. Zubi is improving, yes. We have to see the moment he goes on that pitch, how he deals with the pain and still some small feelings that he will have, basically."
Hincapie was unable to put any weight on his ankle following the incident and was eventually carried off the pitch on the back of goalkeeper Illan Meslier.
On Wednesday, he was able to stand in the back row of Arsenal's official 2026-27 season squad photo, however, which took place at the club's Sobha Realty Training Centre.
Central defender William Saliba wasn't pictured as he was attending a "medical appointment" according to the Premier League champions.
Martin Zubimendi
Martin Zubimendi could return for Arsenal at Nottingham Forest on Sunday
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On Monday, Saliba was out doing some individual training on the grass at London Colney as he ups his recovery from a back injury that saw him break down in France's World Cup semi-final defeat to Spain in Dallas.
Meanwhile, winger Christos Tzolis has also been completing his rehab at Arsenal's training complex following a hamstring issue sustained during Greece's recent 2-2 Nations League draw with the Netherlands in Thessaloniki.
Arsenal are otherwise at full strength this weekend, provided they did not pick up any fresh injury issues on Tuesday. Arteta is due to issue an update on Friday during his pre-match press conference.
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