Arsenal suffer latest defensive injury blow as Piero Hincapie hobbles off against Liverpool
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Arsenal’s defensive problems deepened as new signing Piero Hincapie was forced off injured during the second half of their high‑stakes Premier League clash with Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium.[1] The Ecuadorian defender, who has quickly become an important part of Mikel Arteta’s reshaped back line, was seen hobbling as he went to take a throw‑in near the technical area, prompting visible concern from his manager.[1]
After the restart of play, Hincapie went down on the pitch and remained on the turf looking dejected while receiving treatment from Arsenal’s medical staff, signalling that the problem was serious enough to jeopardise his continuation in the match.[1] It was soon decided he could not carry on, and he was substituted in the 58th minute for youngster Myles Lewis‑Skelly, who slotted in at left‑back.[1]
The enforced change not only disrupted Arsenal’s defensive structure but also altered their physical profile at the back, with television pundit Gary Neville noting on Sky Sports that losing Hincapie would reduce some of Arsenal’s height in defence, particularly important against Liverpool’s aerial threat at set pieces.[1] However, Neville also suggested that Lewis‑Skelly could compensate in other ways, bringing added creativity and technical quality to the left side of the defence as Arsenal tried to maintain control in a demanding, high‑tempo encounter.[1]
Hincapie’s injury adds to an already worrying pattern of setbacks in Arsenal’s rearguard, with Arteta having been forced to constantly adjust his defensive options in recent weeks.[1] While the full extent and nature of the problem were not immediately clear from the touchline, the manner of his withdrawal and his body language raised concerns that he may be facing a spell on the sidelines at a crucial stage of the season, increasing the pressure on Arsenal’s squad depth and on emerging talents such as Lewis‑Skelly to step up in his absence.[1]