Arsenal duo Noni Madueke and Piero Hincapie were ‘notable absentees’ from their training session ahead of their Champions League clash on Wednesday, according to journalist Ryan Taylor.
The Gunners are preparing to face Olympiacos in their second Champions League game of the group stage, as they host the Greek outfit at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal secured an impressive 2-0 victory over Athletic Club away from home in their opening game, with Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard coming off the bench to score late on.
In the Premier League last time out, Arsenal secured a dramatic late victory over Newcastle United, with Gabriel Magalhaes and Mikel Merino scoring in the final minutes to overturn a 1-0 deficit. The Gunners are in impressive form heading into their game against Olympiacos, but Mikel Arteta will be hoping he has almost a fully fit squad to play with.
Madueke and Hincapie Absent From Arsenal Training
Noni Madueke
Reporting on X, journalist Taylor has confirmed that Madueke and Hincapie were the only two ‘notable absentees’ from Arsenal’s training session ahead of their game against Olympiacos.
Both players were unavailable for Arsenal against Newcastle and are, of course, set to miss their Champions League clash on Wednesday evening. On a more positive note, it’s a huge boost for Arteta who appears to have a fully fit squad available to him outside of the aforementioned duo, which could also allow him to rotate his squad a little, with a game in the Premier League against West Ham United coming only a few days later.
The Madueke injury recently was a blow for the Gunners, but they received a major boost around a similar time, with Bukayo Saka returning to action. Arteta has plenty of options at the back, with Gabriel, William Saliba, Cristhian Mosquera, and Riccardo Calafiori capable playing in the centre-back positions, so the absence of Hincapie shouldn’t damage them too much.
Arsenal will back themselves to secure another three points in the Champions League on their own turf agianst Olympiacos, hoping to continue their perfect start.