The signing of Piero Hincapie was the subject of considerable internal debate at Arsenal.
Some considered it a deal too far — a financial commitment that could have significant future ramifications.
Others felt it was a necessity. With Jakub Kiwior eager to join Porto, another high-quality defensive option was required.
After an injury-ravaged season in 2024-25, Mikel Arteta was in no mood to take chances. Arsenal moved for Bayer Leverkusen’s 24-year-old Hincapie — initially a loan, it will become permanent next summer for a fee of €52million (£45.9m, $60m) plus a 10 per cent sell-on clause.
It’s a pricey insurance policy — but one Arteta will currently be relieved he has taken out. The finances, for now at least, are not his problem. With the news that centre-half Gabriel is expected to spend a period on the sidelines, Hincapie is needed.
Arsenal are still waiting for clarity on Gabriel’s prognosis, but there are concerns he may face a fight to play again in 2025. At the start of a period in which Arsenal play 14 games across eight weeks, his absence is a big blow. The Brazilian has been one of Arsenal’s best performers this season — in both boxes.
But Arsenal have a deeper squad than ever before. Hincapie is just one of a number of potential solutions.
Arsenal could draft in Cristhian Mosquera. The 21-year-old summer signing from Valencia has performed admirably whenever called upon. He has the physical presence and technical ability to help make up for Gabriel’s absence.
Mosquera is typically a right-sided defender, though — and Arteta tends to prefer the balance of one right-footer and one left.
Another alternative could be Riccardo Calafiori. The Italian international plays at centre-back for his country, and was also used there during pre-season as Gabriel recuperated from hamstring surgery.
Calafiori has some fitness concerns of his own to contend with, having been left out of Italy’s two internationals during the international break. “Calafiori left the training camp,” Gattuso told a pre-match press conference on Saturday, in quotes carried by Sky Sports Italia.
“We tried Calafiori, he had a few issues. I thank him for his commitment: he stayed here for a week, he could have played perhaps, but it wouldn’t have been fair to him or Arsenal.”
Sources close to Calafiori, who have asked to remain anonymous to protect relationships, say his absence is due to load management rather than a specific injury. Given that, Arsenal are hopeful he should be available for them.
Calafiori has impressed at left-back (David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Naturally, he is an option at centre-half. Although 23-year-old Calafiori has been in excellent form at left-back, Arsenal have plenty of depth in that position with the alternative options of Hincapie and Myles Lewis-Skelly. Arteta could shift Calafiori infield next to William Saliba.
That would, however, mean two changes to Arsenal’s first-choice back four rather than one. Calafiori has started all 11 of Arsenal’s Premier League games at left-back. For consistency’s sake, Arteta may be inclined to keep him there.
And so perhaps this is Hincapie’s time. Arsenal worked hard to get him up to sharpness before the international break, with substitute appearances against Crystal Palace and Burnley sandwiched between starts against Brighton and Slavia Prague. A further two games for Ecuador during the break will have helped him get up to speed.
Hincapie is a different player to Gabriel, but he brings intensity, aggression and considerable experience. Crucially, he also has leadership qualities — he has worn the armband for his country on several occasions.
Other defenders will likely benefit from Gabriel’s absence. Thomas Tuchel has suggested Lewis-Skelly needs more game time to earn a place in his World Cup squad. With one of Calafiori or Hincapie potentially repurposed as a centre-half, there should be more opportunities available at left-back. Ben White is another who could move up the pecking order as a consequence of this defensive reshuffle.
The loss of Gabriel would be a challenge for Arsenal to overcome were it in isolation. As it is, Arsenal are also contending with a number of attacking absences.
For the draw against Sunderland before the break, Arteta was without Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke, Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus. Arsenal hope to welcome all six attacking players back into their squad over the coming weeks.
At present, it’s unclear which of those players could be available for the visit of Tottenham on Sunday. Arsenal may have to be patient as they wait for the attacking reinforcements to return.
Gyokeres, 27, had set the north London derby as a potential return target, but faces a battle to be ready. He is pushing to return as soon as possible, but Spurs may come too soon.
Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann has alluded to a setback for Havertz, but Arsenal are not overly concerned and consider the forward to be making good progress towards his return. The status of Odegaard, Martinelli and Madueke remains unclear.
Jesus has trained with the group throughout the international break, and could be considered for a return to the first-team squad. After such a lengthy absence, however, it is likely Arsenal will look to build up his involvement over time.
Dealing with injury absences is nothing new for Arteta. At least when it comes to the defence, Arsenal’s summer business ensures there are a variety of options at his disposal.