Arteta Reveals How Xabi Alonso Sold Him On £45m Arsenal Star

Mikel Arteta has revealed the crucial role Xabi Alonso played in convincing Arsenal to sign defender Piero Hincapie from Bayer Leverkusen last summer.

The Gunners secured the Ecuador international on a season-long loan with an option to make the move permanent for £45m this summer, beating north London rivals Tottenham to his signature.

Speaking ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League last-16 first leg against Leverkusen on Wednesday, Arteta disclosed his conversation with the former Bayer boss before sanctioning the transfer.

Alonso’s Glowing Assessment

“When I spoke to Xabi just before we were going to sign him, I said if you have to describe him in one word, what would you use, and he said, ‘He’s a warrior,’” Arteta told TNT Sports.

The Arsenal manager was clearly impressed by Alonso’s assessment, adding:

“He will play through brick walls for you and he’s one of the most competitive players that I have had.”

Hincapie’s impact has been immediate despite joining Arsenal after surgery and without a pre-season. The 24-year-old has helped the Gunners open up a healthy gap at the top of the Premier League while making deep runs in the Champions League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup.

A Natural Fit at Emirates

Arteta praised Hincapie’s seamless integration into the squad, noting his presence around teammates and competitive edge on the pitch makes it seem “like he’s been here for 10 years.”

The defender will face his former club when Arsenal travel to Germany for the first leg of their Champions League tie. While not a guaranteed starter, Hincapie has proven to be a reliable presence for Arteta’s side throughout the campaign.

Arsenal are among the favorites to win the Champions League this season, with former Manchester City defender Micah Richards backing the north London club on The Rest is Football podcast. Richards believes the European format will suit Arsenal better than domestic competitions, where teams typically employ low blocks against them.

The connection to Leverkusen runs deeper than just Hincapie, with Kai Havertz also having started his career at the German club before his moves to Chelsea and eventually Arsenal. Arteta’s glowing assessment of both players reflects the quality that has emerged from Leverkusen’s academy and first team in recent years.

Arsenal will look to take a commanding lead into the second leg as they continue their pursuit of Champions League glory and domestic success.