Arsenal are in the thick of the Premier League title race while aiming to win another three trophies this season, yet the Gunners are already drawing up plans for the summer transfer window
WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 18: Piero Hincapie celebrates scoring Arsenal's 2nd goal during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Arsenal at Molineux on February 18, 2026 in Wolverhampton, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Piero Hincapie is enjoying his loan with Arsenal(Image: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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Mikel Arteta has dropped a clear hint that Arsenal plan to make Piero Hincapie's loan move permanent this summer. Hincapie, 24, joined the Gunners on a season-long loan from German side Bayer Leverkusen in September.
Arsenal negotiated a £45million option to buy and after a slow start to life at the Emirates, Hincapie has become a staple of Arteta's defence. The Ecuador international has started all but one of Arsenal's last 16 Premier League games, displaying his versatility by playing at left-back.
Hincapie is set to be named in their starting XI once again on Sunday, as the Gunners host Chelsea. Ahead of the clash, it was put to Arteta that his loanee had gone up a level.
"I fully agree," the Arsenal manager replied. "Again, having more time with the team. A sequence of games where probably physically he's in a much better place.
"He's been extremely dominant in all the defensive actions. He understands what we want in the attacking part as well much better. All the set-pieces, all the aspects that are relative to the game model that we have.
"He's very much liked amongst the players. You can see that, the way they interact and react with him. So I'm very pleased that he's showing that up."
On whether the Gunners will trigger their £45m clause, Arteta said: "We will see. Let's go through the season. We have already discussed the possible outcomes that we have after that period. But so far, we are very, very happy with it."
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 22: Martin Zubimendi of Arsenal celebrates victory with Piero Hincapie of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on February 22, 2026 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
Piero Hincapie is a popular member of the Arsenal dressing room(Image: Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
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Hincapie certainly seems to be very happy with his time in North London. The defender scored his first goal for Arsenal in this month's 2-2 draw with Wolves.
"I've settled in really well and I'm delighted to be here at this wonderful club with brilliant team-mates, top professionals and the staff, so I'm thrilled," Hincapie told club media this week. "They've helped me so much, going back to day one and the first training session.
"They've helped me out in every area, on and off the pitch, so I'm really pleased. My friends and family constantly support me and do everything they can for me to be happy."