Two Arsenal starters go down in training

Arsenal sit second in the Premier League table with 15 points from six games, five wins and just one defeat, and a goal difference of plus five that reflects a squad clicking into gear early. That makes the timing of this latest setback sting more than it otherwise would.

According to Capital Sports, both Hincapie and Zubimendi were sent down in the same post-match training session, leaving Arteta with two senior players to assess rather than one. Arteta did not dress it up, calling the situation "far from ideal" when asked about it.

The exact nature of the knocks, how either player actually picked them up, and how long either man might be out were not detailed in the report. That leaves Arsenal's medical staff to work through the usual process of scans and assessments before any real picture emerges.

Squad depth under pressure

Both Hincapie and Zubimendi occupy roles Arteta has leaned on heavily this season. Zubimendi arrived as part of Arsenal's rebuild of midfield control, and Hincapie has been part of the defensive reshuffle behind a back line that has conceded sparingly enough to help deliver that plus five goal difference. Losing either, even for a short spell, forces Arteta to rework patterns that have been working.

Waiting on Arteta

No replacement timeline, scan results or fresh team news has been confirmed by the club. Until Arsenal or Arteta say more, the only certainty is the one line already on record: two of his most relied-upon players went down in the same session, and he called it far from ideal.