Gabriel Martinelli calls new Arsenal signing a ‘machine’ after Champions League debut for Gunners 

Add as preferred source on Google

Arsenal got off to the perfect start in the Champions League after beating Athletic Bilbao last night, and one player earned plaudits from his team-mates.

Mikel Arteta’s second-half substitutions changed the game after a sluggish start, with Leandro Trossard setting up Gabriel Martinelli for the opener before finding the net himself in a 2-0 win.

It was a big victory for Arsenal, who were without superstars Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, William Saliba and Kai Havertz, and Arteta would have been delighted with the performance.

He was even able to give debuts to two summer signings in stoppage time, and both helped the Gunners keep hold of their clean sheet, their fourth in their first five games in all competitions this season.

• READ MORE: Martin Keown singles out £13m Arsenal star who quietly shone vs Bilbao, ‘I want to mention him…’

Gabriel Martinelli hails Piero Hincapie as a ‘machine’

Piero Hincapie, signed from Bayer Leverkusen on transfer deadline day, was brought on in the 91st minute at San Mames for his debut and didn’t put a foot wrong.

The defender had been made to wait patiently to make his Arsenal bow, having been an unused substitute for Arsenal’s 3-0 win against Nottingham Forest last weekend.

But he showed more than enough in Bilbao to prove he could start, despite the fierce competition for places at the heart of Arteta’s defence, and Gabriel Martinelli has clearly been impressed with his impact.

Hincapie took to Instagram to share a photo of himself in action last night, alongside the caption: “Everything has a beginning. Good evening. We continue.”

Martinelli then replied in the comments, calling him “Maquina”, or “machine”.

Arteta will have to draw on his squad depth as he looks to juggle four different competitions this season, so Hincapie will surely be given plenty more chances to wow his team-mates.

• READ MORE: Mikel Arteta shares verdict on Christian Norgaard and Piero Hincapie after making Arsenal debuts

Piero Hincapie pushing to make his first Arsenal start

While Hincapie will have to accept he is not first choice, Arteta knows all about his quality.

It’s likely he will be given more minutes, and perhaps his first start, against Port Vale in the Carabao Cup next week, and a dominant performance in that game would move him closer to a starting spot.

But the fact remains that he must compete with titans Gabriel and Saliba for the two centre-back slots, while Cristhian Mosquera also looks to be ahead of him in the pecking order.

It is a little harsh on Hincapie, who was part of the Bayer Leverkusen squad that won the Bundesliga and German Cup under Xabi Alonso in their memorable 2023-24 campaign.

Arteta saluted Hincapie as a “big character” and tipped him to improve his squad, and the defender has done exactly that. For now, he must settle for a back-up role, filling in as and when needed.

However, if he impresses during those outings, just like he did in Bilbao last night, he’ll be in contention for the starting XI sooner rather than later.