Arsenal suffer double new injury concern as two stars left out of training

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta (Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Arsenal duo Martin Zubimendi and Ben White have handed Mikel Arteta fresh injury concerns before the Premier League clash against Fulham. The latter was absent from the open training session held at London Colney, while Zubimendi watched on from the sidelines next to Gunners sporting director Andrea Berta.

One positive for Arteta saw Piero Hincapie involved with the deadline day arrival, having played just a few minutes since joining from Bayer Leverkusen after missing the last five games with a groin injury.

Arsenal have been plagued by fitness issues this season, with William Saliba, Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard among those to miss games. The latter is currently unavailable with a knee problem that is expected to keep him out until November.

The Gunners captain had already been forced off during two separate games with a shoulder problem before suffering an MCL injury before the October international break.

Noni Madueke and Kai Havertz are also targeting returns for next month, with Arteta's prognosis on the latter suggesting he could even be back earlier.

"With Kai, we know that it will be months with him. I don't know if it can be weeks; you never know... We really miss him," he admitted in September. "Hopefully, he will be back, and back for the long term as well, so it is very important to look after that knee. So far, he's progressing pretty well."

Having both played a considerable amount for their respective nations over the last two weeks, Saka and Saliba are on the verge of returning to full fitness and are therefore expected to start against Fulham.

Jurrien Timber's impressive displays at right-back have kept White out of the team, but no Zubimendi at Craven Cottage would be a real concern.

The summer signing was on the bench for the win over West Ham United earlier this month but was forced to come on earlier than expected because of Odegaard's issue.

Martin Zubimendi did not take part in Arsenal training on Thursday (Image: (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images))

He played 144 minutes for Spain over the domestic pause, with Mikel Merino also featuring in both games and continuing his goal-scoring form on the international stage by netting a brace.

If Zubimendi is unable to feature, he could come into the team with Rice pushed back into a deeper role, or Christian Norgaard could be a direct replacement, which would allow Rice to remain further forward.

The pair's absence could just be precautionary, with Arteta set to give an update in his pre-match press conference tomorrow ahead of the Saturday evening clash against Fulham.