Mikel Arteta has built a very strong squad at Arsenal.
The North Londoners made eight new signings in what was an unprecedented summer transfer window, and that has helped them start the season in tremendous fashion.
Every Arsenal player who has played a part this season has impressed in one way or another so far, and Arteta is a happy man for that reason.
One player whom the Arsenal manager seems to be really impressed by is Piero Hincapie.
Mikel Arteta says new Arsenal signing Piero Hincapie is a ‘warrior’
The term ‘warrior’ is often overused in football, but only a handful of players are worthy of being described that way.
Ben White is one of them.
The England international has put his body on the line on several occasions for Arsenal over the years, and everyone at the club loves him for that.
Many Arsenal players have even described White as a ‘warrior’ before for the above reason, but there’s a new player who Mikel Arteta believes deserves that title – Hincapie.
The defender joined the Gunners from Bayer Leverkusen on a season-long loan deal in the summer, and he seems to have caught his manager’s eye.
Speaking ahead of Arsenal’s Carabao Cup clash against Brighton and Hove Albion, Arteta said, as per the club’s official website: “He’s a warrior!
“He’s going to bring such intensity, physicality, and emotion to the team as well. He’s quality on the ball; he’s a player who is super keen.
“He can play inside, he can play in wide positions, he’s done it, as you said, in different ways, and now we need to get him up to speed because the moment that physically he’s at his best, he’s going to raise the level.”
Piero Hincapie has already made a positive impact at Arsenal
Hincapie is a physical specimen.
The Ecuador international has all the characteristics that you would want from a defender in the Premier League, and early signs have been positive.
Even though he barely played 10 minutes against Crystal Palace at the weekend, Arsenal fans were blown away by Hincapie’s cameo.
Now, the Bayer Leverkusen loanee needs more minutes under his belt, and he could get an opportunity in the Carabao Cup against Brighton on Wednesday night.
It will be interesting to see whether he will be used more as a left-back or in the heart of the defence.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
