Arsenal and Chelsea get double injury update as Ecuador boss explains squad decision | OneFootball

Piero Hincapie and Moises Caicedo have both struggled for fitness this season

Arsenal’s Piero Hincapie and Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo have both been left out of Ecuador’s squad for the coming international break amid ongoing fitness concerns.

After a successful World Cup campaign, El Tri are set to face South Korea and Japan in a pair of friendlies this international break. Two of their Premier League stars, though, will play no part.

Hincapie has only made four appearances for Arsenal so far this season, the most recent of which came nearly two weeks ago as the Gunners visited Napoli in the Champions League. He was an unused substitute for Saturday’s defeat at Brighton.

Moises Caicedo has played just 14 minutes of competitive football this season

Getty

Caicedo’s contributions to Chelsea’s 2026-27 campaign, meanwhile, have amounted to just 14 minutes after he suffered a calf injury in pre-season. He was rushed back for the dramatic defeat of Brighton at Stamford Bridge, but lasted less than a quarter of an hour before being forced off again.

He is thought to be nearing a return to the pitch, but was left out of the matchday squad for Friday night’s loss away at Brentford.

Neither man will be involved for Ecuador in the coming weeks, though, after new manager Marcelo Gallardo confirmed his selection on Sunday.

Piero Hincapie has not played for Arsenal since the Champions League win over Napoli

Getty

The newly-appointed head coach of El Tri, 50, has signed a four-year deal and replaces Gabriel Beccacece, who stepped down after the last-32 exit at the World Cup.

Speaking at his unveiling as Ecuador boss, Gallardo acknowledged he would be forced to omit some key players due to injuries. Alongside Caicedo and Hincapie, Club Brugge’s Joel Ordonez is also left out.

The omissions of Caicedo and Hincapie are good news for both Xabi Alonso and Mikel Arteta, who will be able. to spend the next three weeks training with their players and overseeing their recoveries. Both are expected to be fully fit come the end of the international break.