Piero Hincapie could be about to do what no player has done in 15 years in the North London Derby

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The North London Derby presents itself as a spectacle for every Arsenal and Tottenham player, but to Piero Hincapie, it could mean even more.

Amid Arsenal’s injury crisis, an opportunity is arising in central defence, and possibly at left-back.

Gabriel Magalhaes could be out for months with a groin injury, and, elsewhere on international duty, Riccardo Calafiori picked up a minor issue.

Though it’s thought that Calafiori will be fit to face Spurs, there’s no guarantee, giving Hincapie the chance to hand Mikel Arteta a selection headache. 

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Piero Hincapie could become the first Arsenal player to make his full Premier League debut against Tottenham

Given that Xabi Alonso described Hincapie as a ‘warrior’, he could be the perfect profile to come into the starting XI for the North London Derby.

Though Cristian Mosquera is likely to replace Gabriel, if Calafiori is a doubt, an opening could present itself to the Ecuadorian, which would make him a history-maker.

If Hincapie is to start against Spurs on Sunday, he would become the first Arsenal player to ever make their full Premier League debut against Tottenham.

In the history of the North London Derby, only one player has made their first Premier League start in the fixture, which was Danny Rose in 2010.

Rose’s infamous debut stunned the Gunners, as the defender, who was 19 at the time, scored a tremendous 30-yard volley in Spurs’ 2-1 win at White Hart Lane.

15 years after Rose’s memorable Premier League debut, Hincapie could follow in the Englishman’s footsteps with a first start in the derby.

Tottenham wanted to sign Hincapie 

A 30-yard volley from Hincapie would go down a treat on Sunday, but a full debut alone would be enough to delight the defender.

Tottenham, on the other hand, might be pained to see the Ecuadorian in the Arsenal squad, as the Lilywhites wanted to sign the Bayer Leverkusen loanee in the summer transfer window. 

Spurs offered Hincapie a better package than Arsenal, but the defender’s mind was made up; he only wanted the Gunners.

Now, the 23-year-old could be in line to make his first Premier League start against the club that wanted to sign him in the summer, making the spectacle all the more exciting.