The Arsenal Football Club’s excitement reached an all-time high during Mikel Arteta’s reign, with their actions on the court exacerbating expectations from the fan base.
Eberechi Eze was confirmed as the Gunners’ latest member on Saturday afternoon and reached a £67.5 million deal from Premier League rival Crystal Palace.
His 16 total goals and assists statistics in England’s top game add a new dimension to the team’s offense, and then was able to attack with a ten-point character or a left-sided frontline.
The 27-year-old, a teenage Arsenal fan, was given to fans before defeating the Emirates’ Leeds 5-0, and their outstanding performance showed the top side of the table.
However, less than a week left in the summer window, the manager is still targeting the team’s added reinforcements, which has led to many names mentioned in recent days.
Arsenal hunting landing reinforcements after Ez
Despite landing on Eze last week, another attacker appeared on their radar, and Rodrygo was touted again and joined Arsenal this summer.
The Gunners’ hierarchy is reportedly scheduled to meet with Brazilian representatives, and Real Madrid is open to allow the 24-year-old to leave permanently or temporarily.
However, the winger is not the only player at the moment, while Bayer Leverkusen Defender Piero Hincapie is another player who is early on transfer deadlines.
According to an insider, the Gunners are an Ecuadorian admirer, Arteta has held talks with the players this summer and has moved to North London this summer.
It is also reported that any move can be dependent on the action to join Porto on Jakub Kiwior’s pending move, currently providing a £52m transfer fee to the star Leverkusen.
Why Arsenal’s £52m goal is better than Eze
Eze’s move injected newfound optimism into the Arsenal fan base, understandable given his large transfer fee – making him the third most noble player in his history.
Such a deal has been sweetened, especially after the Gunners won the autograph, although North London rival Tottenham Hotspurs before moving to the UAE.
However, he will have high expectations for paying, but it is undeniable that the England international has a lot of top quality.
For this summer, Xinkapi’s transfer is arguably a better addition, offering covers in the centre-back and left-back departments – the latter is an issue for Arteta.
People like Oleksandr Zinchenko, Kieran Tierney and Riccardo Calafiori have all tried to fill the gap, but have suffered a huge damage in the past few campaigns.
So far, Calafiori has started two Premier League games with the Gunners, even scoring in the championship against Manchester United – often at critical moments.
A deal from Hincapie will provide a direct and long-term solution to Arteta’s biggest problem in the defensive sector, with the 23-year-old who has made more than 160 appearances for Leverkusen since moving to Germany in 2021.
His basic statistics from the Bundesliga last campaign highlighted the talent he had and had not owned – despite the price of £52m, it could still be a great pickup.
He ranked 95th of the 95th percentile (88%) completed last season, and 85th of every 90 (5.1) progressive pass (5.1), indicating his talent for finding teammates in the attack area.
|
Statistics from Piero Hincapie’s Leverkusen (2024/25) |
|
|---|---|
|
Statistics (every 90) |
Consistent |
|
Play games |
32 |
|
Target and assist |
4 |
|
By accuracy |
88% |
|
Pass for progress |
5.1 |
|
Enter the last third |
5.4 |
|
Enter the last third |
1.6 |
|
Progressive carrying |
1.8 |
|
Win the tackle |
1.4 |
|
Win in the air |
2.2 |
|
Air success rate |
60% |
|
Statistics via FBREF |
|
That number could be perfect for Eze and could be handed to the British during his debut with the Gunners’ first team.
He also ranked 95th percentile in the last third (1.6) of the 90th (1.6) – overlapping runs can be performed if needed and offers more creative threats in the key areas of Ateta.
However, Hincapie won 1.4 tackles in all 90s and scored a 60% aerial success rate – which could further strengthen the club’s defense, which has been the best in the Premier League in each of the last two seasons.
While £52 million seems like a huge sum for the youngster, it can eventually end the club’s pursuit of a consistent serve on the left side of the defender.
If he could transfer his numbers from the Bundesliga to the Premier League, then Xinkapi would be an amazing pickup, and it was more important than Ez in the Gunners’ pursuit of Premier League glory.
