Atalanta and Arsenal Hit by Double Injury Blows

Two of Europe's most demanding schedules have collided with the treatment table this week, as Atalanta and Arsenal both count the cost of weekend victories. In Bergamo, a 3-1 win over Venezia came with a defensive double blow, while in north London, Mikel Arteta was left frustrated by two injuries sustained after the final whistle.

Atalanta's Defensive Concerns Ahead of San Siro Trip

Atalanta's win over Venezia was overshadowed by injuries to Raoul Bellanova and Giorgio Scalvini, both of whom were forced off in the 67th minute. According to TuttoMercatoWeb, the two defenders suffered muscle problems and were replaced simultaneously by Lorenzo Bernasconi and Sead Kolasinac.

Both players will undergo tests in the coming hours to establish the extent of their injuries, leaving Maurizio Sarri's side sweating on their availability. The timing could hardly be worse: Scalvini had played every minute of Atalanta's league campaign before Monday, underlining just how central he has been to the back line.

As if the defensive worries were not enough, Eljif Elmas will miss Sunday's trip to face Ruben Amorim's Milan at San Siro. The North Macedonian was initially booked for a reckless challenge in the 89th minute, but VAR intervened, sending referee Paride Tremolada to the monitor, and the decision was upgraded to a straight red card.

That dismissal compounds a difficult period for Sarri, whose side had just ended a run of three straight defeats. Atalanta now face Pafos in the Conference League on Thursday as part of a punishing run of eight games in 24 days — a schedule that will test the depth of a squad already missing key personnel.

The loss of Elmas removes a creative option for the Milan clash, while the potential absence of Scalvini and Bellanova would leave Sarri reshuffling his defence for one of the season's most demanding away days. Atalanta fans will be hoping the muscle issues are minor, but the club's medical staff face a race against time. For those tracking the Serie A landscape, our Serie A predictions will reflect these evolving squad concerns.

Arsenal's Warm-Down Woes as Saliba Returns

In London, Mikel Arteta admitted his frustration after Piero Hincapié and Martín Zubimendi sustained ankle injuries during the warm-down following Arsenal's 2-1 win against Leeds on Saturday. Both players are due to have scans on Monday to determine the extent of the damage, though Arteta confirmed they will miss Tuesday's Champions League home game against Lille.

The Arsenal manager revealed that Hincapié's injury "looks a little bit more serious" than Zubimendi's, adding further uncertainty to his defensive plans. The injuries occurred during a planned post-match training session designed to give fringe players valuable minutes.

"We had a training session planned after the game for the players," Arteta explained. "They didn't have enough minutes to get everybody in the right rhythm and in two very unfortunate actions, we lost two players."

Arteta described the situation as "far from ideal" but dismissed suggestions he would change the post-match routine. "When they have to play, they have no rhythm, and when you ask them to play, they're going to have no impact in the game," he said. "That could happen at the Emirates; it never happened in the seven years I was here."

There was at least one positive note for the Gunners, with William Saliba resuming training on his own after a back injury. The French defender's return to individual work is a step in the right direction, though no timeline has been given for a full return to team training.

The absence of Hincapié and Zubimendi for the Lille fixture leaves Arteta short of options in both defence and midfield. The pair were pictured watching from the sidelines during the Leeds victory, alongside Bruno Guimarães, and their unavailability for European duty is a significant setback. Our Champions League predictions will factor in these late fitness doubts.

What It Means Going Forward

Both clubs now face anxious waits for scan results. Atalanta's muscle injuries to Scalvini and Bellanova will be assessed in the coming hours, while Arsenal's ankle issues for Hincapié and Zubimendi will be clarified after Monday's tests. With packed fixture lists on the horizon, squad rotation will be tested to its limits.

For Atalanta, the Conference League meeting with Pafos offers little respite, and the trip to San Siro without Elmas — and potentially without two defenders — represents a stern challenge. For Arsenal, the Lille game arrives at an inconvenient moment, though Saliba's return to individual training provides a glimmer of hope.

Injuries are an unavoidable part of football, but the manner of Arsenal's setbacks — sustained after the match had finished — will sting particularly. Arteta's refusal to abandon his post-match routine suggests he believes the benefits outweigh the risks, but the coming days will reveal the true cost. Keep an eye on our latest football news for further updates as both clubs await medical verdicts.