Arsenal have perfect Piero Hincapie replacement after latest Mikel Arteta injury blow

Arsenal suffer fresh injury blow but Mikel Arteta has a number of options to call upon

Mikel Arteta's defensive issues at Arsenal continue. The Gunners have endured a number of problems regarding the backline this season, with several starting stars missing games.

William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Cristhian Mosquera, Riccardo Calafiori, Jurrien Timber, Ben White and Piero Hincapie have all been absent through injury at some stage this campaign. Mosquera and Calafiori are currently in the treatment room and look set to be joined by Hincapie after the 24-year-old was forced off against Liverpool on Thursday night.

The defender, who the Gunners signed on loan from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer, was replaced by Myles Lewis-Skelly shortly before the hour mark. The Ecuador international was spotted holding the back of right leg before hitting the deck and is set to undergo scans amid fears he has suffered a potential hamstring injury.

It's believed Hincapie felt tightness in the area during the second half and following consultation with Arteta, he eventually went to ground so that he could receive treatment. . It's understood there is some concern that Hincapie had to complete a sprint after he first initially felt tightness.

Hincapie has started Arsenal's last 10 Premier League matches and the hope will be that he is not ruled out for a prolonged period. The Gunners face Portsmouth in the FA Cup on Sunday before raking on Chelsea in the Carabao Cup semi-final on Wednesday. Arteta's side then travel to Nottingham Forest on January 17, Inter Milan on January 20 and then entertain Manchester United on January 25.

If Hincapie is forced to miss some of the aforementioned games, Arteta could call upon Lewis-Skelly. The 19-year-old has not been afforded as many minutes this season after a breakout 2024/25 campaign, but has shown he is more than able to perform at left-back. The Hale Ender did look rusty against Liverpool, however, and may need time to get back up to speed.

Another option Arteta will soon have is Calafiori. The Italian sustained a “very awkward” injury in the build-up to the visit of Brighton on December 27 but ahead of the match against Liverpool, Arteta said he and Mosquera were very close to returning.

"They're out again,” he said at his pre-match press conference. “I think pretty soon (they will return). They have to go through the last stage of the rehab, and if everything goes well, hopefully soon they will be available for selection."

So, despite Hincapie picking up a fresh injury, Arteta does have Lewis-Skelly as a potential replacement to play at left-back, as well as the returning Calafiori. Of course, it is also possible that Jurrien Timber shifts over to left-back, with Ben White coming in on the right.