Arsenal may look to strengthen their options at left-back this summer, but signings may not be easy in the position.
Arsenal do have a lot of options at their disposal right now, but with all of Jakub Kiwior, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Kieran Tierney struggling at Euro 2024, it is easy to see why Mikel Arteta may want an upgrade.
Jorrel Hato of Ajax was linked, but it now appears that the teenager will remain at his club this summer. Arsenal will likely want a defender who can provide a good mixture of defensive ability and technical excellence on the ball.
An option Arteta can turn to recently shone in the Copa America, and may be the ideal signing this summer.
Piero Hincapie shines at Copa America
Bayer Leverkusen won a historic undefeated Bundesliga and German Cup double this season, with former Gunner Granit Xhaka at the heart of it.
However, one strong performer came in the back line in the form of defender Piero Hincapie. The 22-year-old is capable of playing at centre-back, as well as at left-back, similarly to Kiwior.
Hincapie is an Ecuador International, and started at left-back in his side’s Copa America victory over Peru, with the Leverkusen star playing a huge part.
The opening goal of their 3-1 victory came in a bizarre manner, as Hincapie picked up the ball on the left wing and fired in a cross, which took a wicked deflection and found the top corner.
He performed superbly throughout the rest of the game, winning eight of his nine ground duels, and won three tackles.
Piero Hincapie could be ideal Arsenal left-back
The Leverkusen defender is reportedly valued at around £46m, amid interest from Liverpool, and he could be a surprise option for Arteta this summer.
Kiwior has been linked with a return to Serie A, and should the Poland International depart, Hincapie could be a younger, and superior replacement.
Kiwior has struggled when defending in wide areas, and gave away a penalty for Poland against France when caught out. Hincapie, who has been described as “aggressive,” could be an alternative of a similar profile, but who can serve as an upgrade when starting at left-back.
Arsenal perhaps need a defender who can both defend wide and invert on the left side, and given Kiwior’s limitations in the role, replacing him with Hincapie may be of overall benefit to the team.
Arteta has Arsenal stars in Marbella whilst Bukayo Saka struggles at Euro 2024
In this week’s episode, Will Jones and Rahul Lakhani discussed England’s recent poor performances at the European Championships. With Arsenal players Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka receiving mixed reviews for England so far, Gareth Southgate’s tactical decisions were questioned.
There was some talk about the members of the Arsenal squad currently on a surprise training camp with Mikel Arteta in Marbella, as well as a brief look at how Gabriel Magalhaes and Gabriel Martinelli are getting on at the Copa America with Brazil.