Mikel Arteta delivers bad news for Arsenal

Coach Mikel Arteta has officially confirmed that new signing Piero Hincapie will miss the London derby between Arsenal and West Ham, while Gabriel Magalhaes still needs further evaluation before deciding on his playing status.

During the pre-match press conference against West Ham, Arteta revealed that the Ecuadorian defender has not yet recovered from the groin injury he suffered during his debut against Athletic Club two weeks ago.

He candidly admitted: “We have tried everything as quickly as possible to help him recover, but this match has come too soon. Now we have an international break, and hopefully after that Piero will return to training and be ready to play.”

This is an unfortunate setback for Arsenal as Hincapie was expected to strengthen the defense. Besides him, Arteta’s squad is also without Noni Madueke, Kai Havertz, and Gabriel Jesus, who are still recovering from knee injuries.

Meanwhile, Gabriel Magalhaes caused concern after leaving the field in the 75th minute of the Champions League win over Olympiacos due to a collision with goalkeeper David Raya. However, Arteta reassured that the injury is not serious: “We will have to wait and see after training and assess the situation. But we are not overly worried about this injury.”

Arsenal approach the West Ham game aiming to extend their winning streak in the Premier League. After a 2-0 victory over Olympiacos, the London club is targeting a fourth consecutive win across all competitions. Yet, the depleted squad will certainly require Arteta to plan carefully.

Hincapie, the center-back who recently joined Emirates in the summer transfer window, has only played one official match for Arsenal before his injury. His absence increases pressure on the defense, which heavily relies on Gabriel and Saliba. If Gabriel is not fit in time, Arteta will have to rotate with backup options like Mosquera or Kiwior.

Despite the squad losses, Arsenal are still favored in this London derby thanks to consistent form and home advantage. Fans hope the Gunners will keep their winning run, with Hincapie returning soon after the international break to prove his worth in the new jersey.

With a congested schedule in both the Premier League and Champions League, maintaining player fitness and recovery is Arteta’s top priority. The match against West Ham will test the squad’s depth and the Spanish coach’s tactical rotation amid a strained roster.

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