New Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso played a key role in convincing Mikel Arteta to sign Arsenal defender Piero Hincapie for £45 million. The Gunners secured the Bayer Leverkusen star last summer, beating north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur to his signature.
Hincapie's Impact at Arsenal
Arsenal initially signed Hincapie on a season-long loan with an option to make the move permanent for £45 million. Arteta always intended to keep the 24-year-old Ecuador international beyond the current campaign and has been impressed by his performances at the Emirates Stadium.
While not a guaranteed starter, Hincapie has been a reliable presence for the Gunners, helping them open up a healthy lead at the top of the Premier League and reach the Champions League final. He returned to his former club Leverkusen earlier in the season as Arsenal beat the Bundesliga side in the Champions League knockout stages.
Arteta Praises Hincapie
Arteta heaped praise on Hincapie ahead of that game and revealed he spoke to former Bayer Leverkusen boss Alonso before sanctioning the transfer. Arteta was close to Alonso growing up, and the pair kept in touch during their playing days and the start of their managerial careers. Friends will become foes next season after Alonso was appointed as the manager of Arsenal's London rivals Chelsea on a four-year deal.
Speaking to TNT Sports earlier in the season, Arteta said: 'When I spoke to Xabi just before we were going to sign him, I said if you have to describe him in one word, what would you use, and he said, "He's a warrior." He will play through brick walls for you and he's one of the most competitive players that I have had. He's come into the Premier League after surgery and a difficult start without a pre-season, and when you see him around his team-mates and competing on the pitch, it's like he's been here for 10 years. He has an aura, a charisma – a really special character.'
Havertz Also Praised
Hincapie was not the only former Bayer Leverkusen player in Arsenal's Champions League squad. Kai Havertz started at the German club before joining Chelsea in 2023 and then moving to London rivals Arsenal three years later. 'It's impossible not to love Kai,' Arteta added. 'He's so kind, so humble, so honest, so hard-working. When you meet his family, you understand straight away how he's been raised and what is important to him in life. I know Kai in the very best moments and Kai in the low moments as well, especially when a player picks up an injury, when you see the real person. It's very difficult to find a better person than Kai in football.'
Arsenal's Champions League Final
Arsenal proved too strong for German side Bayer Leverkusen before beating Portuguese champions Sporting and Spanish giants Atletico Madrid to reach their first Champions League final since 2006. Champions League holders PSG await Arsenal in the final, which will be held on May 30 in Budapest. Arteta's side look set to lift the Premier League trophy before that showpiece event, with wins in their final two games against Burnley and Crystal Palace guaranteeing them their first league title in 22 years.
Alonso's Move to Chelsea
Chelsea turned to ex-Spain midfielder Alonso after sacking Liam Rosenior last month. The Liverpool legend takes over at Stamford Bridge in July.
