Piero Hincapie had already finished his game. The defender came on in the 82nd minute of Arsenal’s 2-1 comeback win over Leeds United on Saturday, played out the final minutes, and jogged back out for the standard post-match warm-down. He left the pitch on his teammates’ shoulders.

Video footage of a small-sided game between substitutes and unused squad players shows Hincapie in distress being carried by teammates after what appeared to be a twisted or jarred ankle. He could not walk off unaided, and Arsenal back-up goalkeeper Illan Meslier was among those who helped him away.

Arsenal will assess Hincapie before the Lille game, which kicks off at 8pm local time at the Emirates on Tuesday. Manager Mikel Arteta is due to address the defender’s status at his pre-match press conference later today.

A thinning defensive rotation

The timing is awkward. Hincapie, who arrived in the summer, has started only once this season, in the Champions League opener against Napoli, and has made just three Premier League appearances. A minor knock had already pulled him out of Ecuador’s recent international window.

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William Saliba remains on the long-term list with a back problem aggravated at the summer World Cup; a return is not expected before December. Cristhian Mosquera is managing a hamstring issue picked up at Aston Villa in August. Winger Christos Tzolis is out for weeks with a hamstring strain of his own, sustained on duty with Greece.

That gives Arteta four separate fitness concerns heading into a European night Arsenal would like to use to take control of their group.

Calafiori and Lewis-Skelly on standby

If Hincapie fails to recover, Riccardo Calafiori, the man he replaced on Saturday, is the natural option at left centre-back. Myles Lewis-Skelly can also cover the role if required, with Arsenal’s midfield depth absorbing any reshuffle.

Kai Havertz and Ezri Konsa both passed late fitness tests on Saturday and started against Leeds, so neither is expected to feature on the doubtful list for Tuesday. Declan Rice played the full match after being rested during the international break.

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Lille arrive in London having lost 2-3 at home to Real Betis in their opening league-phase fixture last month. Arsenal, who beat Napoli in their own opener, can move onto six points with a win.

Arteta’s team news lands at his Monday press conference.

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