Key Highlights
- Arsenal defender Piero Hincapie was absent from training pictures ahead of the Carabao Cup quarter-final against Crystal Palace.
- Hincapie appeared to suffer a blow to his shoulder in Saturday’s 1-0 win at Everton, colliding with Riccardo Calafiori.
- With several other defenders already injured or unavailable, Arsenal is concerned about Hincapie’s availability for the upcoming match.
- Arsenal players like Marli Salmon and Christian Norgaard were seen training on Monday ahead of the League Cup showdown.
Arsenal Training Update: Concerns Over Piero Hincapie’s Availability
In Arsenal’s recent return to training following their narrow 1-0 victory at Everton, a notable absentee was defender Piero Hincapie. The Ecuador international’s absence raises concerns about his potential availability for the upcoming Carabao Cup quarter-final against Crystal Palace.
Collision in Saturday’s Match
During the Premier League clash with Everton, Hincapie suffered a blow to his shoulder after colliding with fellow defender Riccardo Calafiori. Though he was able to play the full 90 minutes despite appearing uncomfortable, the incident has left team manager Mikel Arteta and medical staff on alert.
Training Pictures and Hincapie’s Absence
In Monday’s training session, published on Arsenal’s website, Hincapie was notably absent from the group. While it doesn’t necessarily indicate he did not train at all, it does raise questions about his condition. Other notable players like Marli Salmon, a 16-year-old centre-back who recently made his first-team debut, were seen involved in both gym work and on-field training.
Injury Concerns and Arsenal’s Defense Situation
Arsenal already faces several injury problems at the back. Defenders Gabriel Magalhaes, Cristhian Mosquera, and Ben White are currently sidelined, making Hincapie’s absence particularly concerning if he is indeed unavailable for the upcoming match.
“Given Arsenal’s already challenging defensive lineup, it’s understandable that Mikel Arteta would be keen to ensure all available players are fit,” said Tom Canton, a seasoned Arsenal journalist. “Hincapie has been crucial in recent weeks and his availability will be closely monitored.”
Other Training Observations
In addition to Hincapie’s absence, other training updates include:
- Christian Norgaard, who has experience at the heart of defence, was also present.
- The team is expected to rotate players for the upcoming League Cup match against Crystal Palace, with several key players pushing for minutes. These include Ethan Nwaneri and Gabriel Jesus, who is returning from an ACL tear.
Arsenal remains on a high in both the Premier League and Champions League, but the Carabao Cup quarter-final against Crystal Palace looms large. Mikel Arteta’s management team will be closely monitoring Hincapie’s condition as they prepare for what promises to be an intense week.
