The mood around Arsenal is jubilant at the moment.
Mikel Arteta's side are top of the Premier League table following their thumping win against Leeds United; Martin Odegaard could be fit for Sunday, and Bukayo Saka's injury will only keep him sidelined for four weeks at most.
However, it's still probably the arrival of Eberechi Eze and the nature of his signing that has fans the most positive about the coming campaign.
Eze on being released by Arsenal-1
It feels like the Englishman could be the missing piece for the Gunners, and in more good news, the club are closing in on another signing who could help him get even more out of him.
Arsenal target dream teammate for Eze
With less than a week to go until it shuts, it wouldn't be hyperbolic to claim that this summer transfer window has been one of the best in Arsenal's recent history.
Andrea Berta and Co have added game-changing quality to the starting lineup in Martin Zubimendi and Viktor Gyokeres, while also filling out the squad with quality options like Noni Madueke, Christian Norgaard and Cristhian Mosquera.
Yet, the deal that is remembered most this summer in years to come is undoubtedly going to be the one for Eze, and now it looks like the North Londoners could be about to add someone else to the squad who could make him even more dangerous.
eberechi-eze-crystal-palace-tottenham-premier-league
At least that is according to a recent report from David Ornstein, who has reaffirmed Arsenal's interest in Piero Hincapie.
Speaking to NBC Sports, the renowned journalist has revealed that while plenty of other clubs are interested in signing him, he is prioritising the Gunners and is "very eager" on a move to the Emirates.
Hincapie 2024-25 season in numbers (timeless)
However, based on stories from earlier this week, it appears that Bayer Leverkusen want his full release clause, which amounts to around £52m.
It could be a complicated and costly transfer to get over the line, but Hincapie would be more than worth it, especially as he could get even more out of Eze at Arsenal.
Why Hincapie would be a dream for Eze
One of the most significant positives to Eze is the simple fact that he can play as a ten and out on the left.
Eze career by position pre Arsenal
However, as his heatmaps tend to show, even when starting on the left, he does tend to move back towards the middle of the pitch as he gets closer to the box.
In other words, he isn't a touchline winger, and using him as such would likely see his effectiveness reduced.
Fortunately, while he is likely to start on the left fairly frequently at Arsenal, the arrival of Hincapie means he won't need to stay wide during the attacking phases of play.
The reason for this is that while he might not be an out-and-out overlapping full-back, he's shown himself to be incredibly effective at this role.
In fact, even though he can and does play in the middle of the defence at times, he has become so effective at full-back in recent years that respected analyst Ben Mattinson has described him as "a left-sided Ben White."
Piero Hincapie in action for Bayer Leverkusen
Piero Hincapie in action for Bayer Leverkusen
Therefore, if he starts behind the former Palace star, then he would be the one providing width with lung-busting runs up and down the byline and a constant stream of crosses into the area, or cut-backs just ahead of it.
Finally, if you still need convincing, his underlying numbers also point to him being a truly elite full-back.
Hincapie's FB Scout Report
Statistics
Shots Blocked
Touches (Mid 3rd)
Total Passing Distance
Progressive Passing Distance
Live-ball Passes
Aerials Won
Passes Completed
Pass Completion %
Touches
Carries
Progressive Carrying Distance
Total Carrying Distance
Passes into Final Third
SCA (Shot)
All Stats via FBref
According to FBref, he sits in the top 1% of full-backs in Europe's top-five leagues for shots blocked, the top 3% for progressive passing distance, the top 5% for progressive carrying distance, the top 8% for passes into the final third and more, all per 90.
Ultimately, Hincapie would be an excellent signing for Arsenal regardless of the other additions made this summer.
Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie.
Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie.
However, the impact he could have at the club has been dramatically increased now that Eze has joined Arteta's project, and the opposite will also be true should this transfer go through.