“Julián plays incredible, but this Arsenal…”

Piero Hincapié He came into the world with a ball attached to his foot. From the sandy fields of Esmeraldas where the player was born to the Champions League semi-finals at the Metropolitano against Atlético de Madrid. The Ecuadorian international spoke to MARCA and spoke about the moment when the Arsenalabout Julian Alvarez or about Xabi Alonso.

The tie against the Colchonero team could certify Arsenal’s presence in a Champions League final twenty years later. “We have a good team… I think that We have to do things in the best way to be there again“, began the Ecuadorian international.

Hincapié arrived at Arsenal last summer marketafter having several teams behind him, one of them, the Atlético de Madrid. “Then It was talked to my agent, but I don’t know if there was a truly realistic proposal“Even so, he felt very flattered by the interest from Colchonero. “It’s something very nice that so many such important clubs want to have you on the roster, and thank God I decided on this great club and having a great coach,” about his arrival in London.

A destination to which it was very easy to adapt. “It is a new challenge, with new players, new staff and I think I have adapted in the best way and I want to continue proving it.“. A squad that is made up of several Spaniards, including their coach, Mikel Arteta. “Also understanding how the technician needs me is very important.”he confirms.

The first leg of the semifinals comes at very different times for both teams. While the Atlético de Madrid he makes more rotations in a league practically sentenced for Barcelona, Arsenal is in full fight with Manchester City. This is not a concern for Piero. “I think we have to focus on the game on Wednesday. and then see the others. The Champions League has extra motivation for every player and I think we have to do it in the best way,” he says.

One of the figures of the meeting will be Julian Alvarezthe star of Cholo Simeone, about whom the Ecuadorian was full of praise. “He is an incredible player. It has many qualities, it moves everywhere, He is also a very physical player and very technical.either. I think that He is very intelligent to play, he seems like a fantastic player”.

In this last month since the Carabao Cup final, Arsenal He has conceded eight goals and has only scored four. A negative streak that has allowed the ‘cityzen’ team to overtake them in the standings. “The championship is getting more and more difficult. It is difficult to keep a clean sheet with so many games. We love to have it at zero and that we don’t receive many goals. But we also know that we have to improve a lot in attack”he declares.

We have to be as if we had just started the league and return to our beginnings

Piero Hincapié.

Arsenal have lost the EFL Cup and has been eliminated from the FA Cup for him Southampton (Championship). Piero referred to the bad streak and proposed a solution. “We have to be as if we had just started the league and return to our beginningsthat we did a good job from the beginning. I know that we have to be focused on doing things well and not scoring goals,” regarding the change in team dynamics.

Mikel Arteta demands advanced pressure from his team. Piero is clear. “We have a plan and we always want to be always pushing forward. and recover in the opposite field. But obviously we know the qualities that many teams have and It’s very difficult to maintain that for 90 minutes or 120 minutes.”, he states.

I felt very good about Xabi’s arrival at Leverkusen

Emphasis.

Arteta has not been the only San Sebastian coach who has coached Hincapié and that is because Xabi Alonso already had him at his command at Bayer Leverkusen where it was consolidated in Europe. “They are two extraordinary coaches. The truth is that I felt very good with Xabi’s arrival at Leverkusen.”

The Ecuadorian international has great memories of the former Real Madrid coach. “taught me a lot and I think that was also a basis for when I arrived at Arsenal to adapt in the best way.” “I think Mikel has also helped me a lot in every way. Apart from being good technicians, they are good people and that is what fulfills me the most.”, he concludes.