It’s a brilliant time to be an Arsenal fan at the moment.
Mikel Arteta’s side have won their first two games of the Premier League season without conceding a goal.
Moreover, the Gunners looked sensational against Leeds United on the weekend, and Viktor Gyokeres got off the mark with a sublime solo goal and an emphatic penalty.
The Swedish goalscorer could be the difference-maker for Arsenal this season, and in exciting news, the club are closing in on another signing who could make him even more effective.
Arsenal target dream signing for Gyokeres
While fans will always want another signing, and understandably so, Arsenal have already done an excellent job in the transfer market this summer.
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Despite it being his first window in the job, Sporting Director Andrea Berta has made seven additions to Arteta’s side so far, with the most exciting being Martin Zubimendi, Eberechi Eze and, of course, the goalscoring extraordinaire, Gyokeres.
However, the North Londoners are not done there, as they’re now closing in on another superb signing, one that could help get even more out of the prolific Swede.
At least that is according to a recent report from transfers expert Fabrizio Romano, who has claimed that Arsenal are still very interested in Piero Hincapié.
More than that, the Italian journalist has revealed that the Gunners have agreed personal terms with the player and are now accelerating talks with Bayer Leverkusen.
Interestingly, Romano has claimed that the North Londoners’ preference would be a loan with an obligation to buy, which perhaps isn’t that surprising when other reports are claiming the Ecuadorian’s release clause stands at £52m.
However this deal is eventually structured, it will be worth it for Arsenal as Hincapié is an incredible player and someone who could make Gyokeres even better.
Why Hincapie would be incredible for Gyokeres
So, even though Gyokeres can drift out wide at times and even drop back to help with link-up play at times, he is fundamentally a striker who likes to spend most of his time in and around the penalty area, something he showcased against Leeds United last weekend.
This is also clearly evident when examining his shot map from last season, as the vast majority of them came from inside the penalty area.
In other words, to maximise his effectiveness, Arsenal need to get the ball to him in these dangerous areas, either through carrying the ball up the pitch or passing it into these areas.
Fortunately, these are two things Hincapie is brilliant at doing.
The Leverkusen star may be a defender, and a great one at that, but one of his real strengths is his ability to maraud up the byline and fire in crosses for his teammates to get on the end of.
In fact, he has become so adept at doing this that respected analyst Ben Mattinon has described him as “a left-sided Ben White,” which, given the Englishman’s partnership with Bukayo Saka on the right, should excite fans.
Don’t just take our word for it, though, as the 23-year-old dynamo’s underlying numbers also paint the picture of a rampaging full-back who could get the ball up to the striker with relative ease.
Shots Blocked
0.65
Top 1%
Touches (Mid 3rd)
42.07
Top 2%
Total Passing Distance
1022.32
Top 3%
Progressive Passing Distance
359.66
Top 3%
Live-ball Passes
64.43
Top 3%
Aerials Won
2.25
Top 3%
Passes Completed
61.71
Top 4%
Pass Completion %
88.1%
Top 5%
Touches
81.35
Top 5%
Carries
45.99
Top 5%
Progressive Carrying Distance
137.22
Top 5%
Total Carrying Distance
230.70
Top 7%
Passes into Final Third
5.20
Top 8%
SCA (Shot)
0.18
Top 8%
According to FBref, he ranks in the top 3% of full-backs in Europe’s top-five leagues for progressive passing distance, the top 5% for progressive carrying distance and overall carries, the top 8% for passes into the final third, and more, all per 90.
Ultimately, while he is no slouch when it comes to defending, Hincapie’s biggest strength is his ability to fly up the pitch and get the ball into dangerous areas, which is also why he would be a dream signing for Gyokeres.
Therefore, even if the final price is higher than Arsenal would like, they should do all they can to secure the exciting full-back’s signature.
