'He's a warrior': Mikel Arteta praises £44m Arsenal star who is 'going to raise the level'

Arsenal host Brighton & Hove Albion in the Carabao Cup fourth round on Wednesday night.

Ahead of the game, manager Mikel Arteta has provided some mixed news on the injury front.

Declan Rice, Riccardo Calafiori and Bukayo Saka are ‘available‘ to play tomorrow, but William Saliba and Gabriel Martinelli have been ruled out.

Regardless, Arteta is expected to make multiple changes to the starting XI, and Piero Hincapie looks poised to make his full Gunners debut.

The Ecuador international has made just two substitute appearances since his summer arrival from Bayer Leverkusen, having picked up a minor groin injury.

He could finally make his first start tomorrow. Ahead of the game, Arteta has described him as a ‘warrior’ who is ‘going to raise the level’ when up to speed.

Arteta told reporters: “He’s a warrior; he’s going to bring such intensity, physicality, and emotion to the team as well.

“He’s quality on the ball; he’s a player who is super keen.

“He can play inside, he can play in wide positions, he’s done it, as you said, in different ways.

“We need to get him up to speed because the moment that physically he’s at his best, he’s going to raise the level.”

Hincapie was a key player during his time at Leverkusen, winning the Bundesliga title in 2023/24.

The Ecuadorian was a surprise signing for the Gunners before the summer transfer deadline, considering he was well aware that he may not be guaranteed game time.

The 23-year-old can operate as a centre-back or a left-back, but he is most comfortable in the heart of the defence, where there is strong competition for places.

William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes are guaranteed starters when fit. In Saliba’s absence, summer signing Cristhian Mosquera has stepped up to fill the void.

Hincapie is widely considered Gabriel’s immediate backup after Jakub Kiwior’s exit. The £44 million-rated star has the chance to prove his credentials with a strong display tomorrow.

Arteta is likely to heavily rotate for the Carabao Cup tie. There could be a new-look defence of Ben White, Mosquera, Hincapie and Myles Lewis-Skelly against the Seagulls.

Mosquera and Hincapie have barely played together, and their partnership could be put to test by Brighton, who have scored in each of their last nine matches.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com

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