Arsenal are expected to have one of their injured stars back in action for their clash against Fulham on Saturday.
The Gunners have had multiple injury issues already this season, with the likes of Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Noni Madueke all sustaining significant setbacks.
Odegaard is currently out with an MCL injury sustained against West Ham before the international break, and the Norwegian’s likely return date is yet to be made public.
However, one star’s situation has been made a lot more clear.
Piero Hincapie will be available for Fulham vs Arsenal
Arsenal signed Piero Hincapie on loan from Bayer Leverkusen on deadline day.
Given Mikel Arteta already has the likes of Gabriel Magalhaes, Riccardo Calafiori and Myles Lewis-Skelly at his disposal, it’s not clear what the Ecuadorian’s role will be in North London.
Gunners supporters haven’t come any closer to finding this out over the last month, as Hincapie has been suffering from a groin injury.
Thus far, he’s been limited to a one-minute cameo off the bench in the Champions League, away at Athletic Club.
This could now change this weekend, however. Speaking to the media before the West Ham clash, Arteta confirmed that Hincapie would be available for the trip to Craven Cottage.
“He will be available after the international break,” the Spaniard said.
“This game came too fast.”
Piero Hincapie could start instead of Gabriel Magalhaes against Fulham
Gabriel suffered his own serious injury in April, tearing his hamstring in a major setback that required surgery.
The Brazilian has slotted back into Arteta’s team immediately, and played more minutes than anyone else in the Spaniard’s squad this season.
However, it’s understood that the Gunners are somewhat wary of Gabriel’s injury and are keen to carefully manage his minutes.
It’s possible that if Hincapie had been fit over the last month, the former Lille man would’ve been given a few rests in certain matches.
Gabriel played for Brazil in South Korea on Friday, and could be involved in the South American nation’s match against Japan on Tuesday.
It’s certainly plausible that Arsenal will protect the centre-back when he returns from Asia, and keep him wrapped in cotton wool at Craven Cottage, granting Hincapie a start instead.
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