Martin Odegaard says Piero Hincapie has had a great impact at Arsenal

Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard has praised Piero Hincapie for the great impact he has had since joining the club on loan last summer.

The Gunners signed the Ecuador international from Bayer Leverkusen in a loan deal which includes an option to buy for £45 million. He has been a key player for manager Mikel Arteta.

Hincapie has made 35 appearances for Arsenal, and they are set to sign him permanently in the summer. Odegaard has been impressed by the defender.

“It is great to see players like Piero Hincapie in their first season at the club have such a great impact,” he wrote in today’s Arsenal matchday programme.

“From the first day he came in, he has brought a huge energy – he is so competitive. He always gives everything every day in training and every single game.

“You can see he really leaves everything out there – he is so aggressive and good on the ball.”

“He is a complete defender, I would say, and he has been a great addition to the team. To play at this level straight away in his first season in the league is brilliant.”

Hincapie has largely played at left-back since joining Arsenal, but has also featured at centre-back. He has done well in both positions.

He has bagged one goal and two assists, and his presence has improved the Gunners defensively. They have conceded just 26 goals in 34 league games this term.

Signing Hincapie permanently was always Arsenal’s plan, and the initial loan deal was only for accounting purposes. They had spent plenty of money before deciding to add him to the squad.

He played a big role in helping Leverkusen win the Bundesliga title without losing a single match in 2023-24 and will be desperate to help the Gunners win their first Premier League title since 2004.