Arsenal boost as Hincapie returns to training after injury
Arsenal boost as Hincapie returns to training

Piero Hincapie has stepped up his recovery from an ankle injury ahead of Arsenal's trip to face Bayern Munich.

The defender has missed the last two matches due to an issue he picked up in a training session following Arsenal's win over Leeds.

Training Incident and Initial Diagnosis

Hincapie played the final ten minutes of that match and then took part in some drills on the pitch at the Emirates Stadium. He suffered an ankle injury in the process and was carried off on Illan Meslier's back, in what was a bizarre sight.

After Hincapie was sent for scans, Mikel Arteta suggested that he faced "weeks" on the sidelines.

Return to Training

The 24-year-old has made positive progress in his recovery and he returned to the training pitch on Tuesday afternoon. Hincapie went through some individual drills on the grass away from the main group, as he builds towards a return to first-team action.

He is not expected to be involved in Arsenal's showdown with Bayern on Wednesday night but his absence is not likely to be a lengthy one. Assuming there are no setbacks as he steps up the load on his ankle in training, Hincapie will be available again before the international break.

Goalkeeper Update

Kepa Arrizabalaga took part in Arsenal's final training session before they fly out to Germany. The goalkeeper was not in the squad against Nottingham Forest on Sunday, as Meslier took his place on the bench, but he has now recovered from a minor issue.