Credit: BBC Match of the Day, Imago

Evan Lloyd

Thu 5 March 2026 10:22, UK

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Danny Murphy was in awe watching the way Piero Hincapie fought for the ball in Arsenal‘s win over Brighton and Hove Albion on Wednesday night.

Bukayo Saka’s first-half goal earned the Gunners a hard-fought 1-0 win at the American Express Stadium, extending their lead at the top of the Premier League to seven points.

Meanwhile, Manchester City were held by Nottingham Forest at the Etihad Stadium, with the away end exploding into voice once the news had filtered through.

Hincapie was among several standout defenders for Mikel Arteta’s team on the night, as Brighton attack after Brighton attack was fielded by the Arsenal backline.

In his first months after joining from Bayer Leverkusen, Hincapie struggled with injuries at Arsenal, but the 24-year-old has well and truly found his feet.

Danny Murphy ‘loved’ Piero Hincapie moment

Former Everton chief Keith Wyness exclusively told Football Insider that the Premier League will clamp down on corners next season, after seeing how Arsenal have excelled at them.

The Gunners did not need a set-piece to gain the lead on Wednesday, however, with Saka’s deflected effort finding its way through the legs of Bart Verbruggen.

Once in the lead, their focus switched to defending it – a task that Hincapie would prove crucial in.

The Ecuador international made a staggering 12 clearances and was constantly the last line of defence for Arsenal, starting at left-back and later moving into the middle of the defence when Cristhian Mosquera was substituted.

There was one moment that stood out to Murphy, however. In the second half, the 24-year-old intercepted a pass and drove into the final third.

He was eventually dispossessed and felt that he had been fouled, but got up quickly to get back goal-side and prevent the Brighton counterattack.

“What I loved about this is there is a desire to get forward,” Murphy told BBC Match of the Day on Wednesday while analysing the moment.

“He’s not just sitting in, he’s trying to make a difference. We see so often in football – I saw it in the Fulham vs Tottenham game at the weekend – when he falls over, tries to get the foul and he doesn’t get it, he’s not rolling around, pretending he’s hurt.

“He’s like: ‘Up, I’ve gotta get back’. And now watch his reaction, watch [Gabriel] Martinelli, his left winger, run past him to help, you’ve got Declan Rice in at left-back covering him, then they’re back in shape. So hard to play against.”

Hincapie set to stay at Arsenal

When Arsenal signed Hincapie from Leverkusen last summer, the deal official went down as a loan move.

There has since been clashing reporting on the terms of the deal, with some claiming that Arsenal have an option to buy, while others say it is an obligation.

The truth likely lies between the two, with the deal reportedly including a clause that means both Leverkusen and Arsenal can ensure the deal is made permanent.

And there is not a single doubt that the Gunners will indeed trigger that option, with Hincapie emerging as a key player in this title race.