Piero Hincapie is hoping to be part of Arsenal’s squad for the visit of Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
Hincapie has played just once for Arsenal after joining them on loan from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer.
The left-back has been out of action with a groin injury and his only appearance came at Athletic Club last month.
Hincapie returned to training last week, however he was left out of the squad for Saturday evening’s win at Fulham.
The defender trained again on Monday afternoon, though, and will hope to be in the squad on Tuesday against Atletico.
“He will be available and I think that game [against Fulham] came a bit too early for him,” said Mikel Arteta. “So he had another two very good sessions and now he’s ready to go.”
Arsenal have a tight turnaround from Fulham, but Arteta will want to name a strong team.
Ben White and Myles Lewis-Skelly could come into the team at full-back, while Mikel Merino is an option in midfield.
The most likely change is Gabriel Martinelli coming in on the left flank, although Leandro Trossard did score the winner at the weekend at Craven Cottage.
Arsenal are looking to maintain their perfect start to the Champions League this season after beating Athletic Club and Olympiacos.
Viktor Gyokeres is set to lead the line again and he will be looking to end his goal drought. The striker has not scored in his last nine games for club and country.
Arsenal team news, focus
Kai Havertz, Noni Madueke, Gabriel Jesus and Martin Odegaard all remain out, while Arteta will likely rotate plenty as he has so many options to choose from this season.
The likes of Myles Lewis-Skelly, Cristhian Mosquera, Mikel Merino, Gabriel Martinelli and Ben White could all start. The most likely change is Martinelli for Trossard on the left wing, while it will be intriguing to see if Arteta starts Merino as a false nine and gives Viktor Gyokeres a rest up top. The Gunners have been so solid defensively and through 11 games in all competitions they’ve conceded just three goals and kept eight clean sheets. Former Atletico Madrid sporting director Andrea Berta, who now holds the same role at Arsenal, has done a fine job assembling this Gunners squad and there are plenty of similarities with the types of player he signed for Atleti over the years.
Atletico Madrid team news, focus
Alvarez is Atletico’s focal point in attack and has been exceptional so far this season, while veteran forward Antoine Griezmann keeps on trucking alongside him. Atleti now have new signings Giacomo Raspadori, Nico Gonzalez and Thiago Almada to call upon in attack too, with Almada jumping off the bench to score the winner against Osasuna at the weekend.
Atleti remain solid defensively with the likes of Oblak, Gimenez and Koke still key players and new signing Alex Baena has slotted in well in midfield. But they take more risks going forward and also have Alexander Sorloth in attack and Conor Gallagher remains useful off the bench. USMNT midfielder Johnny Cardoso is out with an ankle injury.
Arsenal predicted XI (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Eze, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Gyokeres, Martinelli
Injured: Jesus (knee), Havertz (knee), Madueke (knee), Odegaard (knee)
Time and date: 2pm BST on Sunday, October 26th, 2025
Venue: Emirates Stadium
Arsenal vs Atletico Madrid prediction
This is going to be tight and tense but Arsenal will edge to victory, probably via a set-piece goal.
Arsenal 2-1 Atletico Madrid.