There are baptisms of fire, and there is making your full league debut in the North London Derby.
While an intimidating atmosphere was expected at the Emirates on Sunday, Piero Hincapie hardly needed to break a sweat in Arsenal’s 4-1 win over Tottenham. Indeed, Spurs only managed two shots on target in the heavy defeat. One of those was a speculative Richarlison effort that caught David Raya out.
In this article, we’ll cover:
Much was made of a dire Spurs showing, and rightly so. Thomas Frank set his side up to defend, starting in a three-man backline for the first time int he Premier League this season. To put out an XI with the sole aim of not losing was a bold strategy. It didn’t pay off. Arsenal still managed 17 shots and created 11 chances.
Arsenal humiliated sorry Spurs
They didn’t even counter well having managed just four touches in the opposition box. Two of those were by centre-back Kevin Danso, who came off at the break. Yes, it was a dire attacking showing, though one supporters have come to expect. Even so, Arsenal managed the game brilliantly. They kept the pressure on in the first half and didn’t let up after Leandro Trossard had put the Gunners in front.
Eberechi Eze stole the headlines for his hat-trick. Yet the quality of the collective was again on show. This was a possible banana skin for the Gunners. Yes, Spurs have been poor but a derby showing against the biggest rivals… there’s always the potential for a sting in the tail.
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Instead, Spurs managed to generate just 0.07 xG in a humiliating loss, this despite an enforced change in the Arsenal backline. When Gabriel Magalhaes pulled up with a thigh injury on international duty, fans understandably feared the worst. In years gone by, the Brazilian’s absence would have spelled disaster.
Arsenal, though, were aware that a lack of strength in depth could proved costly. The Gunners underwent a huge summer spending spree in their bid to win a first Premier League title in over 20 years. Viktor Gyokeres, Martin Zubimendi and Eze were the stand out additions.
Summer signing shone on and off the ball
It’s the loan capture of Hincapie, however, that could prove Arsenal’s saving grace. When William Saliba was absent earlier in the season, fellow new arrival Cristian Mosquera stepped in to bridge the gap. Hincapie has done similar now Gabriel is absent. Importantly, the quality of the team hasn’t taken a hit.
The 23-year-old hardly put a foot wrong on his other two starts this season, those coming in wins over Brighton and Slavia Prague in the EFL Cup and Champions League, respectively. To do so in one of the biggest games of the Premier League season is another matter entirely.
And as one might expect, Hincapie was key in building out from the back. Indeed, he managed a 91.9% pass accuracy from 37 attempted passes, as Arsenal enjoyed 57.4% possession. No outfield player completed more long balls than the Ecuador international (3) as he set Arsenal on the frontfoot.
On the rare occasion Spurs did push forward, Hincapie dealt with the attacking threat easily enough, making four clearances. The former Bayer Leverkusen man was so often in the right place at the right time to help his side both on and off the ball. And as Arsenal gear up for another huge game this week, the Leverkusen experience may just prove decisive.
Hincapie set for key role vs Bayern
Arsenal welcome Bayern Munich to the Emirates on Wednesday night. Both sides top their respective leagues and boast 100% records in the Champions League this season. Something’s got to give in north London in midweek. Hincapie’s time in Germany will certainly aid Arteta’s side as they look to maintain fine start to European competition.
Hincapie has, after all, made 10 career appearances against Bayern, losing only three times in that period. Granted, all three defeats came in cup competition, two of which were in the Champions League. Yet he has the knowhow to play a key role as Arsenal look to contain Harry Kane and co.
The likelihood is that Arteta will plump for Riccardo Calafiori at left-back with Hincapie at left centre-back once more. The defensive resolve is key as Arsenal look to contain this rampant Bayern frontline. Harry Kane will be treading familiar north London turf, while Serge Gnabry is expected to return to the Emirates. That said, the real danger man is Michael Olise. Playing from the right, the Frenchman so often looks to cut inside onto his wand of a left foot.
The Bayern star is a master of finding space in tight areas and driving past markers with ease. He’ll be crucial as FC Hollywood look to breach this watertight Arsenal backline. If he can find space between Calafiori and Hincapie, no easy feat, then Bayern’s bid for victory improves significantly.
That, however, will prove easier said than done. With the strength in defensive cover and competition elevated following Hincapie’s arrival combined with Jakub Kiwior’s exit, Arteta should have no qualms about starting the versatile defender alongside Saliba once more.
It’s again another example of Arsenal’s summer of smart recruitment. Noni Madueke, Eze, Mosquera and now Hincapie have all been required to step in to cover for key men at one point or another. And yet the performance levels have not dropped as Arsenal push for silverware. At the start of a significant week in Arsenal’s season, the latter has stepped up to the plate with ease. Gabriel must be watching on and hoping he’ll even be able to reclaim his spot once he recovers from injury.