He set the sensational record in a Champions League match in November 2024.
Arsenal defender Piero Hincapie suffered what can only be described as a “freak” injury after the 2-1 win over Leeds United – and now manager Mikel Arteta is on the hunt for a new stopper.
Steven Gerrard ‘more than open’ to return to management
Hincapie came on to play the final eight minutes against Leeds, and shortly after the final whistle, he and teammate Martin Zubimendi suffered ankle injuries while jogging down after the game.
Mikel Arteta described the situation as “far from ideal” before Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Lille in the Champions League, saying this was the first time it had happened in his seven years as Arsenal manager.
Arsenal want Bayern Munich’s Kim Min-Jae
The 24-year-old Hincapie was carried off the pitch by backup goalkeeper Illan Meslier, and is expected to be out for a few weeks. He could potentially be back for the away game against Liverpool on November 1.
Hincapie and Zubimendi join star stopper William Saliba and Christos Tzolis on the sidelines – but at least three of the players will be back sometime next month.
While it’s a promising update, Arteta seems keen to invest in his defence in the January window. Bayern’s Kim Min-Jae has emerged as a possible option.
According to Bayern pundit Christian Falk, Arsenal have shown interest in the South Korean international – partly because of Hincapie’s injury, but also because their scouting manager, Maurizio Micheli, discovered Kim during his time at Napoli.
The German giants signed the ball-playing stopper from Napoli in July 2023 after triggering his £43 million buyout clause. Since then, he has made 122 appearances for the club and scored five goals.
This season, he has made six appearances in all competitions, and he continues to show how important he is to Vincent Kompany. But the 29-year-old is not a guaranteed starter under the Belgian, and according to Falk, he could be sold “at the right bid”.
Bayern will undoubtedly try to get back most of what they paid for the stopper three years ago. His contract expires in June 2028.
Kim Min-Jae has set a unique Champions League record
Arsenal are trading in a completely different market than they used to – as evidenced by the signings of Premier League stalwarts such as Ezri Konsa and Bruno Guimaraes this summer.
Konsa and Guimaraes have also flourished in European football for Aston Villa and Newcastle United respectively, and the same can be said for Kim.
With his first-class defensive qualities and Champions League experience – 40 games and still counting – the South Korean international will be a phenomenal signing for Arsenal.
In fact: If they manage to get a transfer for him, they will bring in a player who has an insane record.
During the Champions League meeting with Benfica in November 2024, Kim completed all 113 of his passes, according to Opta. That is the highest number of passes completed by a single player in a Champions League match with 100 percent accuracy.
That probably explains why Arsenal have expressed admiration for the Bayern star. Arteta loves players who are comfortable with the ball – as evidenced by the desire to sign Konsa from Villa.
Liverpool have hit the mark with Bradley Barcola!
