For anyone still wondering whether North London is red or white, Arsenal have just confirmed it is emphatically red!
In form Leandro Trossard broke the deadlock before Eberechi Eze stole the show with a hat trick, sealing a 4 to 1 win over Tottenham Hotspur. Richarlison’s strike was little more than a consolation.
And while Trossard and Eze rightly grabbed the headlines, Piero Hincapie’s performance should not go unnoticed.
Hincapie Unfazed On Full Debut In The NLD
Handed his full Premier League debut in the North London derby due to Gabriel Magalhaes’ injury, the Ecuadorian was neither fazed by the occasion nor the pressure that comes with such a tricky fixture.
He delivered an assured display, exhibiting Gabriel’s trademark defensive solidity and aerial dominance at the heart of Arsenal’s backline. His debut was near perfect, with the greatest compliment being that Gabriel’s absence was barely felt.
Media Reaction
The media were quick to acknowledge his impact.
London Evening Standard admitted, “Handed his first start in the Premier League due to Gabriel being out injured. Put in a strong performance and did not put a foot wrong.”
Goal echoed those claims, “Came in for Gabriel and acquitted himself well at the back, albeit he was not tested a great deal. Likes to get forward, too.”
Football London added, “Great diving header clearance from Odobert’s cross in the second half. Replacing Gabriel, the Ecuadorian did an excellent job all round.”
The perfect Kiwior replacement. Hincapie proved his mettle, easing Arsenal’s concerns over missing Gabriel, who has been enjoying one of his most influential campaigns yet.
His sharp decision making, composure in possession and aggression out of it, combined with ground coverage, mobility and intensity, make him the ideal Arsenal defender. In fact, he looks like the perfect upgrade on Jakub Kiwior.
He is precisely the Gabriel alternative Mikel Arteta needed after allowing the unsettled Kiwior to depart for FC Porto.
Your thoughts on Hincapie Gooners?
Daniel O
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I was crying for Hincapie to be given the starting berth against the Spuds and Arteta duly obliged.
It was good to see him put up a good show
Now let’s see how he goes against a more accomplished Bayern whom I’m sure he’d faced several times during his Leverkusen days
From a quick search:
“Hincapié has faced Bayern Munich at least 10 times, losing only three, though two of those were in the Champions League.”
So he’s entirely capable against them, probably our most experienced player vs Bayern, which is overall a hopeful indicator. But of course it’s not just about individual players – Bayern has been on a tear this season. Any way you look at it, it’s going to be very tough.
Merino – Kane
Eze – Olise
Trossard – Gnabry
Saka – Karl
Rice – Goreztka
Zubimendi – Pavlovic
Calafiori – Stanisic
Hincapie – Upamecano
Saliba – Tah
Timber – Kimmich
Raya – Neuer
Arsenal will win by God’s grace.
The race is not to the swift but to those God shows mercy open.
Our defence is God.
Life is spiritual.
I would be surprised if God concerns himself with sport to be honest. 🤷♂️
Derek, I’m glad someone said it.
Jax,
You know what makes me laugh, is when some boxer’s stand in their corner before a fight, and say a prayer and then cross themselves.
And then they go out and belt the hell out of each other. And here’s me thinking that God doesn’t approve of any kind of violence.
And the things that God gets blamed for. The Maradona goal is called the hand of God goal. What has it to do with God, it wasn’t him cheating. 🤷♂️👍