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2 injured Arsenal players return to training pre-Bayern clash

Piero Hincapie and Kepa Arrizabalaga both took part in training on Tuesday morning, as Arsenal prepare to face Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

Piero Hincapie of Arsenal during the pre-season friendly match between Arsenal FC and Borussia Dortmund at Emirates Stadium on August 09, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

Arsenal received some good news on Tuesday morning, with injured duo Piero Hincapie and Kepa Arrizabalaga both taking part in training.

The Gunners were holding an open training session in front of the media, as is standard on the day before a Champions League match, allowing some insight into the fitness of the team’s key players.

But though Hincapie was out on the grass training, he was only doing individual work on this occasion. It doesn’t look as though he’ll be ready for Wednesday’s big game away to Bayern Munich, with the previous assessment of his injury suggesting he’d face another week or so out.

southampton v arsenal emirates fa cup quarter final 2
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

As for Kepa, the goalkeeper had only missed Sunday’s game against Nottingham Forest with a knock, so if he’s already back in training, he should be fit to make the squad against Bayern.

David Raya is obviously the more likely goalkeeper to start, but Champions League squads generally contain three goalkeepers, so there’s space for both Kepa and Illan Meslier on the bench.

BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 19: Christos Tzolis of Arsenal reacts during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Arsenal FC at American Express Stadium on September 19, 2026 in Brighton, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images

There was never any hope that Arsenal’s other two injury absentees would be able to feature in this one, with Christos Tzolis and William Saliba not expected back this month.

Saliba has recently returned to training on the grass, but like Hincapie, he’s only taking part in individual sessions at this stage.

The French international will need to rejoin full training before he has any chance to feature in a matchday squad, and he’ll probably need some time to get back up to speed with his teammates on the training pitches.

William Saliba #17 of France walks off the pitch with medical staff after sustaining an injury during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi Final match between France and Spain at Dallas Stadium on July 14, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images
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