Arsenal‘s Piero Hincapié will miss the friendlies with Ecuador during the ongoing international break because of a ‘physical issue’.
Ecuador parted ways with Sebastián Beccacece after their elimination in Round of 32 at the World Cup in July. The Arsenal player played the full 90 minutes in the 2-0 defeat to Mexico.
Last month, La Tri appointed Marcelo Gallardo as their new manager, and he announced his first list on Sunday.
Arsenal player not at 100%
After the World Cup, the defender went on a summer break and returned to the Emirates for pre-season.
He came off the bench in the Community Shield win over Manchester City and in Arsenal’s league win over Coventry City and Chelsea. On September 9th, Piero Hincapié played the full 90 minutes in their 1-0 Champions League win over Napoli.
The Ecuador international hasn’t featured for the Premier League winners since then. He missed the EFL Cup win over Ipswich Town and was an unused substitute in Arsenal’s 3-0 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday.
A day later, Marcelo Gallardo announced his squad for the two friendlies against South Korea and Japan. The Gunners man, Chelsea star Moisés Caicedo and Club Brugge centre-back Joel Ordóñez were the big names to miss out on the list.
The trio didn’t make it because of ‘injuries and physical issues’. That’s according to El Comercio, who states the Premier League duo belongs to the latter category.
Gallardo has left the Arsenal player and the Blues midfielder out because they are ‘not at 100% fitness’. Hincapié is struggling with a groin strain and is in the ‘process of regaining match fitness’.
Arsenal man can utilise break to regain full fitness
In September 2025, Piero Hincapié joined Arsenal on loan from Bayer Leverkusen and made his stay permanent in the summer.
Last season, Mikel Arteta handed him 2,763 minutes from 39 matches, and the defender started all four matches at the World Cup. He was sent off against Mexico for which he has already issued an apology.
Ecuador won’t miss him a lot as it’s only friendlies against South Korea and Japan.
The Gunners defender can take advantage of this break to recover and regain full fitness so that he can enjoy minutes when Arsenal face Leeds United on October 10th.
