Arsenal defender Oleksandr Zinchenko has allayed worries over his injury concerns despite missing the Gunners’ friendly victory over Lyon earlier this week.
The Gunners tackled the French side in their first midseason clash during the World Cup break on Thursday and ran-out 3-0 victors. Gabriel, Eddie Nketiah and Fabio Vieira managed to get on the scoresheet, with Arsenal securing an extra-point with a penalty shootout success after the final whistle.
One notable absentee from Arsenal’s line-up for the game was left-back Zinchenko. The 25-year-old has caught the eye since his summer switch from Manchester City but his fitness issues have left some concerned.
A number of problems have seen him restricted to just seven Premier League appearances but the Ukrainian has calmed worries that he has picked up a fresh problem, with his absence only being a precaution. Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: “You know, I have a little muscle tightness, but I’m nearly there, so don’t worry about this.
“Obviously, I’m also working hard to get my fitness back and to be with the team as quickly as I can. It’s the worst feeling, to be fair… for every footballer to be out of the team.
“And yeah, in the last couple of months, I was struggling a lot but I hope everything is in the past already. And now, I’m fully focused and so excited for the rest of the season.”
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Whilst Zinchenko looks set to be fit for Arsenal’s return to Premier League action, the same cannot be said of his colleague Gabriel Jesus. The Brazilian striker has undergone surgery for a knee injury and is expected to be restricted to the sidelines for the next few months.
Zinchenko has sent a message to Jesus ahead of what is anticipated to be a lengthy recovery process. He added: “I said already that we are all behind him.
“We are all supporting him. Of course, it’s a big miss for our team, and the impact what he’s doing for the club is amazing.
“I know him for a while – he’s a big warrior and I’m 100 per cent sure that he’ll be back much, much stronger.”
Arsenal’s injury worries do not end there, either. Playmaker Emile Smith Rowe is still working his way back from a groin injury and has managed to return to training over recent weeks.
The Gunners are next back in action against Italian champions AC Milan in their second Dubai Cup clash before then hosting another Serie A giant in the form of Juventus at Emirates Stadium next week. They are back in competitive action for the first time with a showdown against London rivals West Ham on Boxing Day.
