Arsenal - Mikel Arteta
Image credit: Getty Images
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has assured fans that his team’s defensive unit is set to become even more formidable as new signing Piero Hincapie prepares to take on a greater role in the starting lineup.
The Ecuadorian centre-back has endured a stop-start beginning to life in North London after completing his move from Bayer Leverkusen late in the summer transfer window. His adaptation has been hampered by a groin injury and the impressive performances of Riccardo Calafiori and youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly, limiting him to just two cameo appearances so far this season.
With the Carabao Cup returning this evening, Arteta is expected to make several rotations, offering opportunities to squad players eager to prove themselves including Hincapie, whom the manager believes will elevate Arsenal’s overall standard.
“He’s a warrior; he’s going to bring such intensity, physicality, and emotion to the team as well,” said Arteta ahead of tonight’s clash with Brighton.
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“He’s quality on the ball; he’s a player who is super keen. He can play inside, he can play in wide positions, he’s done it, as you said, in different ways, and now we need to get him up to speed because the moment that physically he’s at his best, he’s going to raise the level.”
Hincapie’s delayed start mirrors the situation of another summer arrival, Kepa Arrizabalaga, who joined from Chelsea but has yet to displace compatriot David Raya. The latter’s exceptional run of clean sheets and consistency has kept him firmly between the posts, leaving Kepa to wait patiently for his turn.
Piero Hincapie
Piero Hincapie (Image credit: Getty Images)
Despite that, Arteta has been full of admiration for the goalkeeper’s professionalism and attitude.
“I never do that, but I don’t do that with any player,” Arteta said when asked if he had told Arrizabalaga he would serve as the No.2 upon arrival. I think in the end, they have to earn it. David [Raya] has been incredibly good for us in the last few years and Kepa knew that when he came in, but he’s ready to compete.
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“If I have to highlight behaviours in that dressing room and culture, probably I would mention him as number one. Because again, he’s come into a different environment after winning everything in football, almost, being in the national team, Chelsea, Real Madrid, big, big clubs and he comes here and every single day he’s behaving like tomorrow’s training session is the most important one in his life.He will have his chances to play, he’s in a really good place, and if he plays tomorrow, I’m sure he will be really, really good.”
Arteta also credited the competition between the two Spanish goalkeepers for maintaining high standards in training and fostering a positive atmosphere within the squad.
“That connection, I think, and the environment that you create between the goalkeepers and the coaches is unique,” Arteta explained.
“They are unique, to be a goalkeeper you have to be unique, to be in that environment, you have to be unique. They are a lot of times, by themselves, they have to do a lot of individual practices and I think Kepa has raised the level, he has created a true great environment for everybody to shine and I think that’s down to him.”
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