Arsenal midfielder Martin Zubimendi could be required to wear a protective face mask if selected for Tuesday’s Carabao Cup fourth-round encounter against Fleetwood Town.
The Spain international suffered a broken nose during Saturday’s 2-0 Premier League victory over Everton at the Emirates Stadium.
According to journalist Gary Jacob, Zubimendi is expected to wear a protective mask should he feature against the League Two outfit.
The midfielder sustained the injury following a facial collision during the Everton encounter, which left him with a bloodied nose.
Although the incident raised concerns about his availability, the latest report suggests that he could still be considered for selection.
However, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta must decide whether to involve the Spaniard or take a cautious approach ahead of a demanding run of fixtures.
Zubimendi has endured a frustrating start to the campaign, with his playing time limited by fitness problems.
The 27-year-old has consequently struggled to establish the consistency expected of him in Arsenal’s midfield, making opportunities to build match sharpness particularly valuable.
Tuesday’s encounter could provide an ideal platform for Zubimendi to gain minutes and work towards a more prominent role in Arteta’s plans.
However, his latest injury has complicated that possibility, particularly with Arsenal preparing for Sunday’s important Premier League trip to Liverpool.
The Gunners moved level with Manchester City on 21 points following their victory over Everton, maintaining their strong start to the title defence.
Arteta is already managing several fitness concerns, including Bukayo Saka’s quadriceps injury and William Saliba’s back problem.
Riccardo Calafiori also emerged as a potential concern after Saturday’s match, although Arteta indicated that the issue was not serious.
Consequently, the Arsenal boss must balance the benefits of giving Zubimendi valuable playing time against the risk of aggravating his facial injury.
The fixture also presents opportunities for other players who have struggled for regular involvement this season.
Max Dowman could be among those handed another chance after scoring twice in Arsenal’s 4-2 third-round victory over Ipswich Town.
Nevertheless, Fleetwood should not be underestimated, having eliminated Chesterfield, Shrewsbury Town and Sheffield United without conceding a goal in this season’s competition.
Arsenal will therefore need a competitive starting eleven despite the likelihood of significant rotation.
For Zubimendi, medical clearance could allow him to feature with additional facial protection, although his participation remains uncertain.
Arteta’s final decision will depend on the midfielder’s condition and whether the potential benefits of playing outweigh the risks ahead of the Liverpool fixture.