Arsenal secured a 2-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion in the Carabao Cup fourth round last night.
Manager Mikel Arteta made 10 changes to the starting XI yesterday. There was a lack of chemistry early on. Brighton had two wonderful chances to score in the first 10 minutes.
The Gunners eventually found their rhythm and went on to secure an eighth consecutive victory across all competitions. The club kept a sixth-straight clean sheet in the process.
Piero Hincapie lined up alongside Cristhian Mosquera in the heart of the defence. The Ecuadorian had a nervous start in his full debut, but gained composure as the game progressed.
The Bayer Leverkusen loanee completed 94 percent of his passes last night. He won six out of seven duels contested. He was successful in winning 100 percent of his aerials (3/3).
Hincapie also made four clearances alongside one tackle and one interception. The 23-year-old got a rare opportunity as a left centre-back as Gabriel Magalhaes started as a substitute.
Gabriel eventually replaced him in the 70th minute. Shortly after the 2-0 victory, Hincapie expressed his delight on Instagram with the caption: ‘Quarter-finals, here we come’.
Gabriel was one of the Arsenal players to quickly respond. The Brazilian commented with a two-word Spanish message in ‘Daleeeeee papai’ which translates to ‘Come on daddy’.
Hincapie, valued at £44 million by Transfermarkt, had a memorable full Gunners debut. He is still likely to drop to the bench when Arsenal face Burnley in the Premier League on Saturday.
William Saliba is doubtful for the trip to Turf Moor after sustaining an injury against Crystal Palace last weekend. The Frenchman will be assessed in the lead-up to the encounter.
If Saliba is sidelined, Arteta will most certainly choose a right-footed centre-back to partner Gabriel. Mosquera looks primed to keep his place in the starting XI against the Clarets.
The Spaniard has already proven his credentials in the English top-flight. He has made a couple of starts and also stood out in his 85-minute appearance against Liverpool at Anfield.
Stats from Sofascore.com & Transfermarkt.com
