Arsenal head to Munich on Wednesday with a couple of players still working their way back to fitness.

The Premier League champions were hit by a strange double blow after their win over Leeds at the Emirates. Piero Hincapie and Martin Zubimendi picked up ankle injuries during the post-match warm-down, with the former having to be carried off the pitch.

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Noni Madueke of Arsenal celebrates during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Nottingham Forest FC and Arsenal FC at City Ground on October 18, 2026 in Nottingham, England.

Piero Hincapie back training on the grass

Thankfully, there’s now an encouraging update on Hincapie. Hand of Arsenal posted on X that the defender was “completing some individual training on grass at Sobha,” calling it “excellent news.”

Ryan Taylor reaffirmed that, saying Hincapie “is doing some individual training on grass at Sobha as he steps up his recovery from ankle issue.”

Before the Forest game, Mikel Arteta said he didn’t expect Hincapie to be out for long, adding that it would probably be “another week or two.” Individual work on the grass is the next step, but Wednesday’s game in Munich looks likely to come too soon for him.

Arteta will want Hincapie back as soon as possible. Riccardo Calafiori has started every Premier League game this season, but we know what his injury record is like — he can’t be relied upon to stay fit all season.

With games coming thick and fast, Arteta may want to rotate him at some point this week. If Munich comes too soon for Hincapie, Myles Lewis-Skelly is another option at left-back. He played there against Lille and was rested completely at Forest, so he’ll be fresh for Wednesday.

Taylor also confirmed that Kepa Arrizabalaga has returned to training. The goalkeeper picked up an injury in training before the Forest game and stayed at home, with Illan Meslier taking his place on the bench.