Arsenal left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko has been pictured in training with the Gunners after reports emerged claiming that he could miss the rest of the season through injury.
The Ukraine international - who has suffered from a few afflictions this term - was brought off after 61 minutes of last weekend's 2-0 win over Newcastle United due to a calf problem.
It was subsequently reported that Zinchenko would miss the rest of the season with his injury, ruling him out of clashes with Brighton & Hove Albion, Nottingham Forest and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Arsenal did not officially confirm that the former Manchester City man would be sidelined for those three games, though, and Mikel Arteta also denied such claims in Friday's press conference.
When directly asked if Zinchenko's calf problem was serious enough to keep him out for the remainder of the campaign, the Spaniard simply replied: "No".
🚨 Oleksandr Zinchenko in Arsenal training TODAY. #afc pic.twitter.com/2yFkM8cM7j
— afcstuff (@afcstuff) May 13, 2023
In another surprise turn of events, Zinchenko made a rapid return to training with the team for Saturday's session, fuelling hopes of an unexpected appearance against Brighton on Sunday.
Nevertheless, The Express claims that the 26-year-old is still expected to be unavailable for the meeting with the Seagulls, in spite of a late fitness test on Sunday morning.
Zinchenko's debut season at the Emirates has been a positive one with one goal and two assists from 27 Premier League matches, although he has missed another 12 matches through a combination of knee, calf and knock-related injuries.
Without the left-back available, Kieran Tierney is expected to be given the nod on Sunday afternoon amid increasing uncertainty over the Scotland international's future beyond the end of the season.
Zinchenko represents one of four Arsenal players set to sit out Sunday's match, as William Saliba's rehabilitation from a troublesome back injury is taking longer than initially anticipated.
© Reuters
Reports in midweek also claimed that Saliba would miss the rest of the season alongside Zinchenko, although the France international would not require surgery.
While Arteta confirmed that Saliba would not be available on Sunday, he only labelled the centre-back doubtful for next week's trip to Forest, and a comeback against Wolves on the final day of the season is not beyond the realm of possibility.
Takehiro Tomiyasu and Mohamed Elneny represent the Gunners' two other absentees, as the pair recuperate from knee injuries while their team fights to stay alive in the Premier League title race.
As things stand, Arteta's side sit one point below reigning champions Manchester City having played a game more, but the Citizens can extend their lead when they travel to Everton earlier on Sunday.
Ben Knapton
