TBR Football can exclusively share what Piero Hincapie is aiming to do at Arsenal following his deadline day move from Bayer Leverkusen.
The Gunners have signed the Ecuador international on loan for the 2025/26 campaign, but the deal includes an obligation to make the deal permanent for a sum of £45m.
Piero Hincapie – who can play on the left or in the centre of defence – faces fierce competition for a starting role at Arsenal due to the presence of stars like Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba and Riccardo Calafiori.
However, sources confirm to TBR Football that the Ecuadorian is looking to shake the side up under Mikel Arteta.
Exclusive: Piero Hincapie feels he is good enough to start for Arsenal
Graeme Bailey – Chief Correspondent for TBR Football – has been informed that Hincapie arrives at the Emirates Stadium full of confidence, and feels he can become an undroppable figure in the starting XI.
Bailey reveals: “He’s coming in to compete for a starting role. He thinks he’s good enough – let’s not beat around the bush. There’s always that argument with new signings, they all say they’re coming in to start, but honestly, I don’t think they all believe that deep down.
“Hincapie, though, does. Long term, he thinks he’s good enough to compete with Gabriel and Saliba. He’s not arriving with the mindset of, oh, I’m just the next cab off the rank if Saliba or Gabriel get injured. No, that’s not him. Hincapie is coming here thinking, I am going to make it impossible to leave me out.”
The new Arsenal No.5 can already boast UEFA Champions League experience and 191 senior appearances at club level by the age of 23 – along with 43 caps for Ecuador.
Arsenal think Cristian Mosquera could become “one of the best in the world”
Andrea Berta also signed Cristian Mosquera to bolster the defence along with Hincapie during the summer transfer window, a player Arsenal feel could soon become one of the greatest in his position.
Bailey adds: “He (Hincapie) is coming in with the idea that Mosquera is more of a young project. They see him as someone who, in three or four years, could be one of the best in the world.”
The Spaniard only cost Arsenal £13m in a move from Valencia back in July, which is a ridiculously low fee for a 21-year-old who can boast immense potential.
Saliba has already suffered an injury just three games into the season, so now could be the time for either Hincapie – who Berta thinks could be special – or Mosquera to announce themselves at Arsenal.