It's been an incredible summer for Arsenal so far this year.
On top of kicking off their Premier League campaign with back-to-back wins, the Gunners have gone big in the transfer market, with Eberechi Eze arguably being their best signing in years.
The former Crystal Palace star could be just the player Mikel Arteta has needed for years, someone who's a mercurial creator and dangerous goalscorer from several areas on the pitch.
Eze on being released by Arsenal-1
Moreover, the North Londoners now look set to sign another international star who could form the perfect partnership with him.
Arsenal target perfect teammate for Eze
While Arsenal have spent big in previous windows, fans have not seen the club spend this much money and sign this many top-quality players in one summer before.
Andrea Berta has significantly strengthened the squad with the additions of Noni Madueke and Cristhian Mosquera, and has improved the starting lineup with stars like Viktor Gyokeres, Martin Zubimendi, and Eze.
Yet, the Italian journalist isn't done there, as he now looks set to bring in another international ace who'll be incredible alongside the Englishman.
Crystal Palace's Eberechi Eze celebrates after winning the FA Cup
At least that is according to a recent report from transfers expert Fabrizio Romano, who has provided an update on Arsenal's pursuit of Piero Hincapie.
The Italian journalist has revealed that the North Londoners are now "closing in on" the defender and that an agreement with Bayer Leverkusen is "almost done."
Interestingly, while reports from earlier this week suggested that the German side wanted £52m for the Ecuadorian, they have now accepted a loan deal with an obligation to buy.
Hincapie is an exciting signing in his own right, but he could be even more effective for Arsenal alongside Eze.
Why Hincapie will be unreal with Eze
So long as he lives up to the expectations people have of him, Hincapie will likely be a brilliant teammate for every player at Arsenal, but we think he could form an especially effective partnership with Eze.
Eze career by position pre Arsenal
One of the main reasons is where on the pitch the Englishman might play, as, although he spent most of last season in the middle of the park, there is a good chance he will start many games for the club from the left wing.
However, as his heat maps from the last couple of years show, even when he is out wide, he likes to move towards the centre of the pitch the closer he gets to the penalty area.
Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie.
Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie.
Now, given how Arsenal's left-hand side currently functions, that wouldn't be ideal, as it would make the team far narrower and make life easier for opposition defenders.
However, with the Leverkusen star in the team, that wouldn't be the case, as while he might not be quite as gung ho as a Jeremie Frimpong, for example, he is still very much an overlapping full-back.
Piero Hincapie fbref stats
In other words, the "Ecuadorian football legend in the making," as talent scout Jacek Kulig dubbed him, will be the one to provide the width in place of Eze, bombing up and down the pitch and overlapping with the 27-year-old.
Interestingly, respected analyst Ben Mattinson has described him as "a left-sided Ben White," which, given the Poole-born star's partnership with Bukayo Saka on the right, should excite fans about what could happen on the left this season.
Hincapie's Leverkusen record
Competition
Bundesliga
Europa League
Champions League
DFB-Pokal
DFL Super Cup
All Stats via Transfermarkt
Moreover, playing both the 23-year-old "beast", as dubbed by U23 scout Antonio Mango, and the Greenwich-born star in the same team will mean Arteta can get the best out of both, as their natural games complement each other and cover for their deficiencies.
Ultimately, while Hincapie will be another defender for Arsenal, the impact he could have on the team could make them and Eze far more potent in attack.