Martin Zubimendi suffered a broken nose during Arsenal’s weekend win over Everton, and he’ll need to wear a protective mask on Tuesday night.
Gary Jacob reports for The Times that Martin Zubimendi will wear a mask to protect his broken nose in Arsenal’s League Cup match against Fleetwood Town on Tuesday night, after suffering the injury late in Saturday’s Premier League win over Everton.
Zubimendi had only entered the weekend win as a late substitute, playing the final 10 minutes of the match, but that was enough for him to pick up a new injury in a challenge with Thierno Barry.
Jacob adds that Zubimendi is still expected to start the upcoming Fleetwood Town match, he’s just going to do so wearing protective headgear. Max Dowman, Kepa Arrizabalaga, and Viktor Gyokeres are also reportedly expected to start.
This rare start for Zubimendi comes amid concern over Declan Rice’s fitness, as the midfielder was seen holding his right hamstring against Everton.
Rice was replaced by Zubimendi in the 80th minute of the match, and it remains unclear whether the England international has actually suffered an injury.
Rice has had a lingering hamstring issue for a while now, and he’s generally been able to play through it. He was rested from the September-October internationals to help him recover, but it seems the problem remains ongoing.
Zubimendi will probably be keen to start Tuesday’s League Cup game, as it would represent just his second start of the club campaign so far. The midfielder has made nine appearances, but the vast majority of them have been from the bench.
The 27-year-old’s case wasn’t helped by a training injury following the recent match against Leeds United, ruling him out of the Champions League game against Lille – another game he was expected to start.
While some Arsenal players will be hoping for a midweek rest, it’s likely the Spanish international will be pushing for the opposite.
- Arsenal 27yo to wear mask vs Fleetwood Town after broken noseMartin Zubimendi suffered a broken nose during Arsenal’s weekend win over Everton, and he’ll need to wear a protective mask on Tuesday night.
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