Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has discovered when he could welcome back a highly-rated player who’s suffered an injury blow.
Arsenal edge past Olympiacos with West Ham up next
The Gunners edged past Greek Super League champions Olympiacos in midweek thanks to goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka, with Arsenal maintaining their 100 per cent start in Europe.
Martinelli opened the scoring in the 12th minute with a simple tap in after Viktor Gyökeres’ shot struck the post and rolled kindly into the Brazilian’s path. However, while you might’ve expected the floodgates to open thereafter, it ended up being a tense evening for Arteta’s side — who squandered numerous opportunities to extend their lead.
Martin Odegaard
8.1
Myles Lewis-Skelly
7.9
David Raya
7.6
Mikel Merino
7.4
Chiquinho
7.4
via WhoScored
David Raya was also forced into a spectacular one-handed save to deny an equaliser from ex-Wolves forward Daniel Podence. The Portuguese winger caught a low cross perfectly on the volley from eight yards, only for Raya to instinctively fling himself to his left and divert the ball over the crossbar with an outstretched hand.
Leandro Trossard and captain Martin Odegaard, who was praised for his excellent display against Olympiacos, also missed chances to double Arsenal’s advantage before Saka finally put the game beyond doubt in added time.
Arteta initially rested Saka for tonight, perhaps in an effort to manage his fitness with the England international coming back from a hamstring problem, but his late inclusion turned out to be vital.
We’re certain to see much more of Saka given summer signing Noni Madueke is out for several weeks with a knee injury, giving Arteta precious few alternatives, with the forward joining Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz and Piero Hincapie on the treatment table.
Arteta was also dealt a scare when Gabriel Magalhaes was forced off for Cristhian Mosquera, receiving treatment on the pitch, but Arsenal’s boss has since given a reassuring update.
“I think he’s [Gabriel] going to be okay,” Arteta said.
“He felt something, I think it was a kick, I’m not sure, in the first half, and he was a bit uncomfortable, and towards the second half he was there.
“He could carry on, but we decided not to take any risks, really, because he’s played a lot of games. He comes from a long-term injury as well, and we need to look after him.”
With Arteta appearing hopeful that Gabriel will be available for Arsenal’s crunch Premier League clash against Nuno Espírito Santo’s West Ham this weekend, their last match before the international break, things are a bit more uncertain with Hincapie.
The Ecuador international suffered an injury blow to his groin recently and has been unable to feature — playing just one minute since joining the club on loan from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer.
Hincapie is still waiting to make his Premier League debut for Arsenal, with a timeline on the defender’s return to action now emerging.
Piero Hincapie targeting October return for Arsenal
According to insider ‘HandOfArsenal’ on X, the 23-year-old is hoping to return to the fold this month, if all goes to plan, though a specific date hasn’t been specified just yet.
The versatile defender is currently on a season-long trial at the Emirates, as he looks to show sporting director Andrea Berta that Arsenal should trigger the £45 million buy option in his contract.
Hincapie was a regular under Xabi Alonso during Leverkusen’s historic 2024 double-winning season, where they went the entire domestic campaign unbeaten, and was among the club’s key starters last season — making 45 appearances in all competitions.
The South American, dubbed an “absolute beast” by members of the media, played at centre-back, left-back and even left-midfield on two occasions last term — and it will be interesting to see how he fits into Arteta’s plans moving forward.
Arsenal already have a stacked defence and Mosquera has been particularly impressive as a new recruit, so Hincapie is facing a battle to get in the side.