Arsenal closing in on Piero Hincapié and Eberechi Eze as Andrea Berta’s push reshapes the title plan

Arsenal are accelerating moves for Piero Hincapié and Eberechi Eze, with recruitment heavyweight Andrea Berta credited by insiders for pushing both deals toward the finish line. The logic is clear: add a left-footed defender who can cover center back and inverted left back, then secure a Premier League proven creator who carries, shoots, and links the half spaces. Depth has been Arsenal’s missing edge in decisive months. With five subs and a brutal calendar, two starters-quality additions would lift the floor and the ceiling. The confidence inside London Colney is rising. This is how you turn a good squad into a trophy squad.

The momentum follows a heated derby week and internal briefings that emphasized closing priority targets before the next fixture block. Club figures were said to be satisfied after an earlier attacking addition, but a late push from recruitment leadership re-opened two tracks viewed as strategic. Contacts in Germany and within the Premier League signaled advanced progress, with financial structures aligned to current budgets. The timing aligns with Arsenal’s focus on adding multi-role depth pieces to support Mikel Arteta’s positional play. The expectation is to finalize medicals and media assets soon after final paperwork details are agreed.

I've been thinking about Andrea Berta a lot… Arteta publicly mentioned him after Spurs. The board were content with the window after Madueke's deal. But Berta pushed & got Hincapié AND Eze over the line. Depth could genuinely be THE REASON Arsenal win major trophies. Kudos.

@EBL2017

Impact Analysis

If Arsenal land both Piero Hincapié and Eberechi Eze, the competitive impact is immediate and measurable. Hincapié offers left-footed distribution from the back and comfort defending large spaces. In Xabi Alonso’s system he posted elite pass completion, strong recovery pace, and clean footwork under pressure. That profile lets Arteta flex between a back four and a situational back three, with Hincapié sliding into the Zinchenko zone as an inverted outlet without ceding defensive stability. It reduces the need to overplay Gabriel and gives Jakub Kiwior real competition on the left channel.

Eze reshapes the attacking rotation. He brings Premier League ready ball carrying, lateral balance, and ball-strike variety from zone 14. Across the last two seasons he has ranked among the league’s better attacking midfielders for progressive carries and shot creating actions, while maintaining press resistance that fits Arsenal’s structured rest-defense. He can operate as a left-sided 8, a wide 10, or a narrow winger attacking the inside channel. That unlocks matchups when opponents low block Saka and Odegaard.

The five-sub era rewards squads that can change rhythm on 60 minutes without losing structure. City have dominated that margin. Hincapié plus Eze narrows it. Rotation risk drops, late-game control rises, and set-piece variance improves with another aerially competent defender and an additional shooter. Title races are decided on depth-driven points - this is Arsenal buying those points.

Reaction

Fan sentiment across platforms has been charged and mostly upbeat. One long-time supporter framed it bluntly: depth could be the reason Arsenal finally turn performances into major trophies. Another pointed to smart trading, hinting that moving on the right pieces at the right time is how you afford targeted upgrades. A few voices were giddy about the fit - Eze and Hincapié make the squad 10 out of 10, said one user, arguing competence at the top has narrowed margins with the very best.

There were questions too. Can Arsenal still add a true number 9, given Mikel Arteta has navigated long stretches without one. Others contrasted this approach with rivals spending big on a single forward while ignoring structural gaps, a not-so-subtle dig at misallocated budgets elsewhere. A rival fan tossed a jab about Spurs, while a skeptic muttered about cosmetic improvement. But the majority read it as a power move. The Berta credit resonated - fans love the idea of a closer who gets deals over the line, especially for profiles that align with Arteta’s blueprint. The takeaway: belief is building, and not just on the pitch.

Social reactions

The man just solidified himself to the board and owners as a freaking genius

Craiggy79 (@ArsenalKendrick)

Greatful that Edu left with his barbeque 🙏

Zaid Ahmad Fauzi (@ZaidFauzi)

Berta is the Gunners' best transfer of the last 10 years.

Skrzycki (@Skrzycki_PL)

Prediction

Scenario 1 - Fast track: Agreements in principle are reached almost simultaneously, allowing a 48 to 72 hour sequence of club-to-club agreement, player terms confirmation, medicals, and staged announcements. Expect add-ons tied to appearances and Champions League progression to shape headline fees. Hincapié’s structure likely includes performance triggers and resale clauses, a common pattern with Bundesliga sellers. Eze’s deal would be front loaded enough to deter late hijacks, with image rights ironed out early.

Scenario 2 - One-by-one: Arsenal finalize Hincapié first to stabilize the backline ahead of a heavy run, then pivot to Eze before the registration cut-off. This staggers cash flow and reduces operational risk. Outgoings could include a fullback or a left-sided defender to manage minutes and maintain pathway clarity for academy defenders.

Scenario 3 - Domino with a 9: Should market conditions flip late, Arsenal might add a short-term center forward option via loan with option, but only after locking their two priority profiles. The common thread in all scenarios is control - two multi-role signings that protect the structure and add variance in chance creation. Odds-on, both land. The club’s posture suggests conviction, not window theater.

Latest today

• Manchester United Reaffirm Bruno Fernandes Is Not For Sale - Captain Anchored In Long-Term...
• Brighton cannot recall Carl Rushworth in January - season-long Coventry loan stands
• Man United clarify timing of Bruno Fernandes interview as summer exit talk resurfaces
• Kylian Mbappé wins €61m ruling against PSG - financial and sporting fallout

Conclusion

This is coherent squad building, not a splash for headlines. Hincapié shores up the left build-out lane and raises the athletic baseline in transitional defense. Eze brings gravity in the half spaces and a clean shooting profile that punishes passive blocks. Stack those with Arteta’s set-piece gains and game-state control and you get a team built to handle the ruthless calendar without a performance dip in March and April.

Fans are right to be excited. The data says both players fit the roles Arsenal need. The market says the structures are achievable. The mood around the training ground points to a group that understands how close they are. Close the deals, spread the minutes, keep the principles. That is the path to silver in a league where margins are thin and depth is currency.