Arteta Confirms Hincapie Faces 'a Matter of Weeks' Out as Arsenal's Injury List Grows
Mikel Arteta says Piero Hincapie's injury looks 'more significant' than first feared, with the Arsenal defender facing weeks on the sidelines alongside the already-absent William Saliba.
Published 15 Oct 2026Updated 15 Oct 20262 min read
Arsenal's defensive depth is about to be tested again after Mikel Arteta confirmed Piero Hincapie is facing an extended spell on the sidelines. The Ecuador international picked up the problem in training alongside Martin Zubimendi, with both missing the midweek victory over Lille — and while Zubimendi's prognosis is encouraging, Hincapie's is not.
What Arteta said
Speaking after the Lille match, Arteta drew a clear line between the two fitness cases. 'Zubi is much, much better, Piero is improving but as I said, it looks more significant,' the manager explained. 'I think it will be a matter of weeks, we don't know exactly how many.' The absence of a firm timeline means Arsenal's medical staff will reassess the defender week by week, with no return date yet pencilled in. Hincapie had established himself as a key part of Arteta's rotation since arriving from Bayer Leverkusen, and the manager's measured tone suggested the club is preparing for a lengthy absence rather than a short one.
A problem position
The news lands hardest because of who else is unavailable. William Saliba is still working his way back from his own lay-off, so the prospect of being without both senior centre-back options at once forces Arteta into a rethink at the base of his back line. Squad players offer cover, but the fixture list is about to compress sharply after the international break, and a quick succession of matches is exactly when a thin centre-back group gets exposed. How Arsenal line up at the weekend, and whether a natural left-sided defender is drafted in, will be the first clue to how serious the situation has become.
The brighter news
Zubimendi's recovery is the counterweight. Arteta described the midfielder as 'much, much better' and closing on a return to contention, which would restore the platform in front of the back four just as the defenders around him drop out. Arsenal supporters will also monitor the wider injury list, with the club hoping its key men are available again as the schedule gathers pace. For now, Hincapie's fitness is monitored week by week, and every update before the weekend will be watched closely.