Piero Hincapie is preparing to return to Arsenal following an impressive international performance with Ecuador. Despite being signed amid the distractions of the international break, Hincapie has quickly drawn attention for his performances on the pitch, particularly with a clean sheet against the world champions, Argentina.
In his previous game against Paraguay, Hincapie showcased his defensive reliability at the center-back position. Against Argentina, he was deployed as a left-back, tasked with containing the attacking threat of Gonzalo Montiel and Giuliano Simeone. Despite a challenging matchup, he remained composed and effective throughout the game.
Hincapie’s statistics were outstanding: he recorded the most interceptions (2), recoveries (5), and overall defensive actions (9), and he was not dribbled past once. His contributions were vital in Ecuador’s surprising 1-0 victory, which came despite playing with ten men after Moises Caicedo’s red card, balancing out with Nicolas Otamendi’s dismissal for Argentina.
Beyond his defensive duties, Hincapie actively contributed to attacking plays. Positioned at left-back, he made characteristic overlapping runs and executed crucial tackles and interceptions, including a sliding block in the penalty area to stop a dangerous cross. His performance played a key role in securing three points, moving Ecuador up to second in the standings with 29 points, ahead of teams like Colombia, Uruguay, and Brazil. This success brings them closer to qualifying for the next World Cup, marking a historic achievement for the nation.
Hincapie’s displays for Ecuador send a clear signal to Arsenal’s management and first-team players. His defensive versatility and ability to contribute both offensively and defensively may give Mikel Arteta a selection headache, as the young defender has proven himself capable of competing at the highest level.
