Arsenal's Premier League preparations have taken a promising turn as summer signing Piero Hincapie returns to full training. The Ecuadorian defender, who has been sidelined for much of the season, is now edging closer to a long-awaited comeback.
Hincapie’s tenure at Arsenal has been disappointingly brief so far. The 22-year-old played just one minute since his arrival from Bayer Leverkusen on loan on deadline day. A groin problem sustained during pre-season surgery halted his integration into Mikel Arteta’s system, leaving Arsenal short of defensive depth at crucial moments.
However, the Gunners received positive news when Hincapie was back on the grass at London Colney on Thursday morning. Participating in team training marks a significant step forward in his recovery journey. Arteta will undoubtedly be encouraged by the sight of Hincapie joining drills, especially considering the congested fixture list awaiting Arsenal over the next three weeks. With seven games in 22 days, including Champions League fixture against Atletico Madrid, squad rotation will be vital if Arsenal are to maintain their pace in the Premier League.
Squad depth tested ahead of busy run
Arsenal’s season so far has been marked by strong results and fitness frustrations alike. While their title challenge remains intact, recurring injuries have limited Arteta’s options significantly.
Hincapie’s absence was particularly felt in central defence where Gabriel and William Saliba shouldered most minutes. As they face Fulham at Craven Cottage this Saturday before a pivotal European tie midweek; Arteta knows he must carefully manage his resources given such packed schedule with little time for recovery.
White and Zubimendi's concerns
While Hincapie's return provides a welcome boost ahead of these crucial matches, not all updates from Thursday's training session were positive. Ben White was notably absent, sparking mild concern among supporters ahead of the weekend’s game. Martin Zubimendi, meanwhile, was seen watching on from the sidelines alongside Andrea Berta.
As Arsenal gears up for a challenging run of fixtures in the coming weeks, Hincapie's return to full training is a significant boost. However, with concerns over other key players' fitness levels and availability still looming large; Arteta and his team will need to carefully manage their resources to maintain their momentum in both domestic and European competitions.
