The wait is over, Arsenal are finally set to unleash £45 million signing Piero Hincapié when the Premier League returns this weekend.
The Gunners travel to Craven Cottage on Saturday for a London derby against Fulham, and all eyes will be on the Ecuadorian defender who’s yet to truly kick off his Arsenal career.
Hincapié, brought in as a clear upgrade on Jakub Kiwior, has barely featured since arriving, just one minute of action in the Champions League. But that could all change now.
Injuries have delayed his debut, but Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta recently confirmed the 22-year-old is finally ready, saying:
“He will be available after the international break. This game came too fast.”
That time has come, and the £45m man could finally make his mark.
With William Saliba rested and Cristhian Mosquera getting minutes, Arteta might rotate again, paving the way for Hincapié to step in. The South American defender has been billed as one of the brightest young centre-backs in world football, and now he has the perfect stage to prove it.
Meanwhile, Kiwior, the man Hincapié was brought in to replace, has been on fire at FC Porto, racking up seven straight clean sheets and earning rave reviews in Poland. The challenge is clear: Hincapié must show he’s a real upgrade.
For Arsenal fans, the excitement is building. The title race is heating up, and a debut for their £45m signing could add even more spark.
Now the question is: Will Hincapié live up to the hype?
