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Arsenal may not have Piero Hincapié back for Everton on Saturday after all, despite Mikel Arteta’s upbeat update before the Bayern Munich game.
The Ecuador international has had a stop-start season so far, managing just 160 minutes across five matches as both form and fitness have let him down.
Arteta raised hopes that he could return sooner than expected, but a fresh report from Ecuador suggests the defender’s recovery is still at a very early stage.
Piero Hincapié injury: what Arteta said
The initial estimate was that the 24-year-old would be out for weeks. Before the 2-2 Champions League draw with Bayern Munich, though, the Arsenal boss struck a far more positive note.
“Piero, let’s see if he’s able to train in the next few days as well, he can be available for Everton, which is great news,” Arteta said.
Why Hincapié’s return against Everton isn’t guaranteed
El Comercio in Ecuador have relayed Arteta’s comments, but their own reading of the situation is more cautious. According to the outlet, ‘Piero Hincapié still needs to complete his reintegration into team training and demonstrate that he is fit to meet the physical demands of an official match.’
He has been pictured training, but only on his own, and the report describes his recovery as being in the ‘preliminary phase’ of rejoining the group.
Why training alone won’t get Hincapié back for Everton
That distinction matters. As El Comercio explain, ‘Individual training allows him to gradually regain mobility and physical capacity, while group sessions incorporate the demands of the game, such as changes of direction, challenges for the ball, and contact with other players.’
Until Hincapié has come through that second stage, a place in the matchday squad against Everton is far from certain.
Piero Hincapié’s injury-hit season at Arsenal
This is already his second injury of the campaign. Last month he picked up a groin problem that limited him to two appearances, and he didn’t feature in the league win over Sunderland or the 3-0 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion. He also missed out on Ecuador manager Marcelo Gallardo’s first squad during the last international break.
He returned in the 2-1 league win over Leeds United on October 10th, only to pick up an ankle injury that ruled him out of the league win over Nottingham Forest and the draw with Bayern. Ecuador are now keeping a close eye on his situation ahead of November’s international break.
Author Opinion
Arteta’s optimism is understandable. A fit Hincapié gives him options, and nobody needs reminding of what the defender can offer since his move to Arsenal. But training alone is a long way from 90 minutes against Everton.
With two injuries already this season, caution feels like the smart call. We’ve seen before how a gamble on Hincapié can backfire, and rushing him back only to lose him again before the international break would help nobody, least of all the player.