Arsenal defender Piero Hincapie has revealed the intense excitement within the dressing room as the Gunners stand on the brink of a historic double. The Ecuador international, who joined Arsenal on loan from Bayer Leverkusen, could end his first season at the club with both the Premier League and Champions League trophies.
Double Dream Alive
Arsenal are just two wins away from securing their first Premier League title in 22 years, with fixtures against Burnley and Crystal Palace remaining. They then face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final in Budapest on May 30. Hincapie emphasised the collective ambition: "I feel that excitement too for the club. On a personal level, it's also important that in your first season you become champion. It would bring immense happiness and be crazy for me."
Dressing Room Mood
The 24-year-old described the atmosphere as electric: "There was something very exciting in the dressing room and also a lot of desire to want to win everything. But, as I say, it's always step by step, game by game, and we hope to give joy to the club and to all the fans." Hincapie, who won the Bundesliga with Leverkusen in 2024, brings title-winning experience to a squad hungry for success.
Fan Support and Arteta's Role
Hincapie praised the fans for their unwavering support: "They are the ones who are always supporting us everywhere and it would be a very nice present for all those who have been fighting for years for this dream." He also credited manager Mikel Arteta for his smooth adaptation: "From the beginning he has always been supporting me in everything. It's a new league, a new experience, and he's always there to help us."
Personal Journey
Reflecting on his move to Arsenal, Hincapie admitted the initial adjustment was challenging: "When I arrived it was obviously a bit different. A new club is difficult to adapt to a new league, which is very different to the one we have come from. But I think we've done it in the best way." His tenacious defending has made him a fan favourite, and Arsenal are expected to make his loan permanent.
With a World Cup also on the horizon, Hincapie remains focused on the immediate task: "During this time there has been very little talk about it, because there is still a long way to go before the World Cup." For now, his priority is helping Arsenal achieve glory in the coming weeks.
