Arteta lauds ‘warrior’ Hincapie - ‘He will play through brick walls for you’

London—Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has paid glowing tribute to Piero Hincapie, revealing that prior to the defender’s arrival at the Emirates, Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso personally endorsed the Ecuadorian as a “warrior.”

Speaking about the 22-year-old centre-back, Arteta said the recommendation from his former teammate carried significant weight and has already been borne out on the training ground. “Xabi told me straight—‘He will play through brick walls for you,’” Arteta explained. “Every day since he’s been here, that’s exactly what Piero has shown.”

Hincapie, who joined the Gunners this summer, has quickly impressed staff and teammates alike with an uncompromising approach that Arteta believes will add steel to the squad. While the Spaniard stopped short of detailing specific matches or statistics, he emphasized that the defender’s mentality sets him apart. “When a professional of Xabi’s calibre uses the word warrior, you listen,” Arteta added. “Piero embraces the physical side, he embraces the fight, and most importantly he embraces the club.”

The praise signals Arteta’s confidence that Hincapie can adapt to the Premier League’s rigours and become a cornerstone of the Arsenal back line for seasons to come.