Piero hincapié signed for Arsenal in the Summer but now faces a long absence. This is after picking up an injury in their draw against Liverpool.
The center back was forced off due to some strain in his hamstring. He is now undergoing tests to see the severity of the injury.
Hincapié has made ten Premier League starts for Arsenal this season after joining in the summer. Whilst not being a regular at the Emirates, he has proved invaluable as an option with other key defenders injured or suspended.
His versatility being able to play both as a center back and a full back, has been vital. With an injury to Ben White earlier this season. He has been able to fill the gap left by the Englishman.
He has looked good in nearly every match he has played in, and the move from Bayer Leverkusen looked to have paid off. However, now as he faces a long-term absence, Mikel Arteta may look to the transfer market to find someone to fill that gap.
These issues come at an inopportune time for him personally as he turns 24-years-old today.
Hincapié made a name for himself as one of the best young defenders in Europe while playing in Germany. He was part of the side that went invincible in the Bundesliga, along with former Arsenal turned Sunderland man Granit Xhaka.
He played regularly whilst in Germany, barely missing any games throughout his whole career due to injury. But now at Arsenal, he could be out for a potentially long stretch of games.
This has happened at a poor time for the Gunners. Whilst Hincapié is not a key player under Mikel Arteta yet the loss of a defensive option could prove to be brutal in the run for the title.
A few years ago, William Saliba was injured during a crucial moment in the title race. Arsenal, who had been in the lead the whole season up to that point, fell off the top spot after dropping points to what may be considered weaker opposition.
Whilst Hincapié is not yet at the level of importance as William Saliba. His injury hurts the harmonious rotation Arteta has been able to utilise this season. This could be the start of an injury crisis at Arsenal. Myles Lewis-Skelly came off the bench for Arsenal for the Ecuadorian and maybe the current favourite to deputise in Hincapie's role.
