Arteta Praises 'Dominant' Hincapie as Arsenal Eye Permanent Deal
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has expressed his delight with defender Piero Hincapie's performances, strongly hinting that the club will make his loan move permanent in the upcoming summer transfer window. The Gunners hold a £45 million option to sign the Ecuadorian international from Bayer Leverkusen, and Arteta's comments suggest they are keen to exercise that clause.
Versatile Defender Impresses After Slow Start
Hincapie arrived at the Emirates Stadium on loan last summer, providing valuable versatility in defense by slotting in at both left-back and left centre-back positions. Despite an initial setback due to a groin injury that delayed his integration into the squad, the 24-year-old has become a consistent presence in Arsenal's Premier League lineup. Since making his first league start against Tottenham in late November, Hincapie has missed just one top-flight match, demonstrating his growing importance to the team.
Arteta highlighted Hincapie's development, noting his improved physical condition and understanding of Arsenal's tactical system. 'He's been extremely dominant in all the defensive actions,' the manager stated. 'He understands what we want in the attacking part as well much better, all the set-pieces, all the aspects that are relative to the game model that we have.'
Strong Indication of Permanent Move
When directly questioned about whether Arsenal would trigger the permanent transfer option, Arteta responded with clear optimism. 'I would say so,' he replied. 'Let's go through the season. We have already discussed the possible outcomes that we have after that period. But so far we are very, very happy with him.'
The manager also emphasized Hincapie's positive integration into the squad, noting his popularity among teammates. 'He's very much liked amongst the players, you can see that the way they interact and react with him,' Arteta added. 'I'm very pleased that he's showing that up.'
Focus on Chelsea Clash Amid Transfer Talk
While transfer speculation builds, Arsenal's immediate attention remains fixed on their Premier League campaign. The Gunners host Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium this Sunday, aiming to maintain their unbeaten record against the Blues this season. Arteta stressed that past results won't breed complacency. 'That doesn't change the preparation,' he insisted. 'We know the importance of the game, and we know the team we're going to have in front of us.'
On the injury front, Arsenal received positive updates with Kai Havertz returning to training and Max Dowman set for minutes with the Under-21 side. A late decision will be made on defender Ben White, who missed last weekend's north London derby.
Hincapie's consistent performances have limited opportunities for other defensive options like Riccardo Calafiori and Myles Lewis-Skelly, but Arteta remains confident in the Ecuadorian's continued growth. As Arsenal navigate both domestic and European competitions, securing Hincapie's services permanently appears to be a strategic priority for the club's defensive stability.
