Arsenal have suffered another defensive blow with the news that Piero Hincapie was injured in the warm-down after the 2-1 win over Leeds on Saturday.
Hincapie has struggled for fitness for Arsenal so far this season, restricted to three substitute appearances in the Premier League and making just one start -- in the UEFA Champions League win over Napoli -- and now looks set for an extended spell on the sidelines.
Hincapie missed the international break and was given the final nine minutes at the Emirates on Saturday, prompting his inclusion in a post-match warm-down, in which he picked up an ankle injury.
When is Piero Hincapie expected to return from injury?
Speaking before Arsenal's UEFA Champions League tie with Lille, Mikel Arteta said: "[Martin Zubimendi and Piero Hincapie] are both going to miss tomorrow’s match for sure. Tomorrow we will know more. Piero’s one looks a little bit more serious."
A minor ankle injury could see Hincapie miss a couple of weeks, but given that Arteta desribed it as 'more serious', combined with the footage of Hincapie being carried off the pitch by Illan Meslier, suggests it's not just a minor sprain.
Hincapie is more likely to have sprained his ankle than anything else, but depending on the severity, the Ecuadorian could be out for anywhere between six and 12 weeks.
While scans will confirm more, the early indications suggest that Hincapie will miss the next international break, potentially returning for Arsenal's crunch clash with Manchester City at the end of November. The worst case scenario -- a Grade 3 sprain -- could sideline Hincapie until the middle of January.
