Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was full of praise for new signing Piero Hincapié following the Gunners’ hard-fought 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday. The Ecuadorian defender made his first Premier League start for the club, delivering a composed and commanding display that left both his manager and the home fans impressed.
Speaking after the match, Arteta couldn’t hide his admiration for the 22-year-old centre-back. “Our fans are gonna love Piero Hincapié, mark my words,” the Arsenal boss said with a smile. “It’s great to have Piero on the pitch. You could sense immediately his aggression, his commitment in every action that he does.”
The Gunners secured all three points thanks to a second-half goal from captain Martin Ødegaard, maintaining their strong start to the Premier League campaign. However, it was Hincapié’s assured defensive performance, full of determination and confidence, that caught the eye.
