Arsenal defender Piero Hincapie has returned to training after injury, with the player believed to be close to an on-field comeback.
Sky Sports reporter Sam Blitz confirms that Arsenal summer signing Piero Hincapie took part in the team’s open training session on Thursday morning along with the rest of the squad.
Hincapie has been out of action since his first appearance for the Gunners, but it looks as though he’s on the verge of a comeback now.
Before the international break, Mikel Arteta had confirmed that they were hoping to have the defender back available when the club fixtures returned.
“Now we have an international break, so hopefully, after that, he will have a couple of sessions with the team and be ready to go,” Arteta said at the time.
The group also included Gabriel Magalhaes and Gabriel Martinelli, with the Brazilian duo making a speedy return to the UK after their games in Asia over the last week. Martinelli was in action against Japan in Tokyo on Tuesday.
In a less positive update, Blitz adds that Ben White was absent from the group, and Martin Zubimendi watched the session from the sidelines.
With any luck, Zubimendi’s non-involvement was purely because he’s had a lot of minutes so far this season and needs a break. But there will be more concern around White given his recent injury struggles and the fact he didn’t play over the international break.
Also absent for Arsenal’s upcoming fixtures will be Gabriel Jesus, Martin Ødegaard, Kai Havertz, and Noni Madueke. None of the four are expected to feature for at least another couple of weeks.