Piero Hincapie has withdrawn from the Ecuador squad ahead of their friendly against the Netherlands, with reports in the last 24 hours saying the Arsenal defender left camp after medical tests.
Piero Hincapie has withdrawn from the Ecuador squad ahead of their friendly against the Netherlands, handing Arsenal a fresh fitness concern before the return to club football. The defender has left camp following medical tests and will return to London, where Arsenal are expected to assess him further. There has been no official confirmation from Ecuador’s federation on the precise nature of the problem.
The timing is significant because Hincapie had been due to play a full part in Ecuador’s March international window. The defender played the 72 minutes in Ecuador's 1-1 draw with Morocco, and showed some signs of discomfort late in the game.
For Arsenal, the immediate issue is uncertainty rather than diagnosis. A withdrawal after medical tests suggests Ecuador saw enough to avoid taking risks with the 24-year-old, but until either federation or club provides further detail, it remains unclear whether the problem is precautionary, short term, or something more disruptive. That lack of clarity is what will concern Mikel Arteta’s side most at this stage.
Hincapie has become an important option in Arsenal’s defensive group since joining on loan from Bayer Leverkusen in September 2025. Arsenal brought in the Ecuador international on a season-long deal, with an option to make it permanent, and Arteta praised his physical presence, versatility and tactical flexibility.
That versatility is exactly why this development matters. Hincapie gives Arsenal cover across the back line and has offered another high-level international option during a season in which workload management has been a constant theme. Any interruption to his availability would therefore come at an awkward moment, even if the final outcome proves to be minor.
Hincapie’s withdrawal also comes as Arsenal monitor a wider run of international fitness issues. Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke all left the England camp before Tuesday’s friendly against Japan, with England confirming that Rice and Saka had returned to Arsenal for medical assessment, while Madueke withdrew after picking up a knock against Uruguay. That means Arsenal are now waiting on updates involving multiple senior players before club football resumes.