Martin Zubimendi could return for Arsenal at Nottingham Forest on Sunday, with Mikel Arteta confirming the midfielder is much improved — but Piero Hincapie will need another week or two, and William Saliba's comeback still has no firm date.
Zubimendi and Hincapie both picked up ankle injuries in the same training session after last Saturday's 2-1 win over Leeds United, a freak double blow that Merino admitted had shaken the squad. Both missed Tuesday's 3-0 Champions League win over Lille, and Arteta's Friday update, reported by Reuters, split the pair's timelines for the first time.
Zubimendi wins his race — maybe
Arteta said Zubimendi already looked much better in training on Friday. Arsenal have one more session on Saturday, after which the staff will decide whether he is available to face Forest.
That would be a significant boost. Zubimendi sets Arsenal's tempo from deep, and his absence was felt even in a comfortable European win. Rushing an ankle injury, though, carries its own risk — especially with Arsenal trying to keep pace with leaders Manchester City, who have won six from six.
Hincapie needs more time
Hincapie's news was positive in tone but slower in practice. Arteta said the Ecuador defender is evolving really well and, given his character, will not be out for long — but he put the timeline at probably another week or two, as football.london also reported.
The defender was carried off in that training session, so a return inside a fortnight would still count as good news. Until then, Arsenal's defensive depth remains stretched.
Tzolis and Saliba: scans will decide
Christos Tzolis, who has missed the last two fixtures with a muscle problem picked up before the international break, had another MRI scan on Thursday. Arteta said it is progressing really well and hopes to have the Greece international back in a few weeks.
Saliba is the biggest concern of the four. The France defender, sidelined with a back problem, is due another MRI next week to check how the healing is going. Arteta stressed that every sign so far has been very positive — but positive signs are not a return date, and Arsenal have now played the opening stretch of their title defence without their best centre-back.
So what: Forest, City and a thin defence
Sunday's trip to the City Ground (16:30 BST) is exactly the kind of awkward away fixture that decides title races. Forest at home can build real momentum, and Arsenal have found goals hard to come by on recent visits there.
If Zubimendi makes it, Arteta regains control in midfield. If he does not — and with Hincapie and Saliba still out — Arsenal will be asking a patched-up side to keep pace with a City team that has not dropped a point. The next week of scans may matter as much as the next week of matches.
Beyond the Final Whistle verdict: Arsenal's injury list is shortening, but the order matters — Zubimendi returning on Sunday would steady the whole side, while Saliba's open-ended timeline remains the one cloud over this title defence. Arteta is right not to rush anyone, yet City's perfect start means patience has a price. Should Zubimendi start at Forest if he trains on Saturday, or should Arteta protect him? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
