Piero Hincapie has withdrawn from the Ecuador squad ahead of the upcoming international fixtures, and it’s a development that Arsenal fans will be watching closely.
According to Fabrizio Romano, the defender has pulled out of the squad due to a physical issue, with no risks being taken at this stage. The decision appears to be precautionary, rather than anything too serious.
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Hincapie has quickly become an important part of Mikel Arteta’s squad since arriving from Bayer Leverkusen, having played 33 times this season.
The defender is now on his way back to N5 for further tests after the decision was made by the Ecuadorian FA and Arsenal.
Arsenal’s Piero Hincapie withdraws from the Ecuador squad
The Italian journalist reports that Piero Hincapie has withdrawn from international duty, with Ecuador now set to be without one of their key defenders for this break.
Given how intense the schedule has been, it makes complete sense for both Arsenal and his nation to be cautious here, ahead of a busy end to the season.
Arsenal have already seen how injuries can disrupt momentum, and the last thing Arteta needs is another defensive setback heading into a crucial run of fixtures.
Hincapie’s versatility has made him a valuable option, especially with the demands of competing on multiple fronts. Losing him for any extended period would be a blow.
Rather than pushing through and risking something more serious, the Ecuador international will now focus on recovery, joining several other Gunners stars in returning to London Colney.
William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes also pulled out of international duty and were recently joined by the trio of Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke and Declan Rice.
The 24-year-old is now the latest to make the trip back to North London, where his issue is set to be fully assessed by the club.
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