Arsenal ace left out of national team after starting just once since summer transfer and being kept on bench at Brighton

ARSENAL have been handed a boost after Piero Hincapie was left out of Ecuador’s squad for the international break. The defender has been struggling with a muscular problem and will use this fortnight to fully recover. Piero Hincapie has started just one game for Arsenal this season Credit: Getty Hincapie will use the next fortnight to recover Credit: Getty Hincapie, 24, has started just one game for Arsenal this season – when they beat Napoli 1-0 earlier this month. The left-back picked up an issue in training in the days after that game and missed the next two matches. Sign up for the Arsenal newsletter Thank you! He returned to the squad over the weekend for the Gunners’ 3-0 defeat at Brighton, but did not come off the bench. Ecuador’s new head coach, Marcelo Gallardo, has duly decided to leave Hincapie out of his first squad. Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo has also been omitted as he has been struggling for fitness, too. Ecuador are embarking on an Asian tour over the next two weeks where they will play three friendlies against South Korea, Japan and one of Panama or New Zealand. Hincapie being given time to fully recover from his muscular issue is a boost for Mikel Arteta, who has been light on defensive options. Midfielders Martin Zubimendi and Myles Lewis-Skelly had to fill in at full-back for the Carabao Cup win at Ipswich earlier this month. Most read in Sport BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS Marli Salmon, 17, also played in the heart of defence in that game so Ezri Konsa and Gabriel could play just 45 minutes each. Ben White is currently out with a groin issue and William Saliba is a long-term absentee due to a back injury. Comment now