Arsenal transfer target holds insane Champions League record that Mikel Arteta will love

Arsenal defender Piero Hincapie suffered what could only be described as a 'freak' injury after the 2-1 victory over Leeds United, and it appears Mikel Arteta could enter the market for a defender.

Hincapie came on to see out the final eight minutes of their win against Leeds and, shortly after the full-time whistle, the Ecuador international and teammate Martin Zubimendi suffered ankle injuries in the post-match warm-down.

Mikel Arteta described the situation as "far from ideal" before the Gunners' 3-0 triumph over Lille in the Champions League and said it was the first time this had happened in his seven years as Arsenal manager.

READ NEXT: Mikel Arteta accused of 'ruining' Arsenal player who needs 'dropping' despite Leeds United win

Arsenal want Bayern Munich defender Kim Min-Jae

The 24-year-old was carried off the pitch by back-up goalkeeper Illan Meslier, and is expected to be sidelined for a matter of weeks, potentially returning for the visit to Liverpool on November 1.

Hincapie and Zubimendi join star defender William Saliba and Christos Tzolis on the sidelines, but at least three of his players should return at some point next month.

While that is a promising update, Arteta appears keen to invest in his defence during the January transfer window, with Bayern Munich's Kim Min-Jae emerging as a possible option.

According to Bayern insider Christian Falk, the Gunners have shown an interest in the South Korean international - partly due to Hincapie's injury - but also because their scouting chief, Maurizio Micheli, discovered Kim during his time at Napoli.

The Bundesliga giants signed the ball-playing defender from Napoli in July 2023 after triggering his £43million release clause, and he's since gone on to feature 122 times for the club, while scoring five times.

This season, he has featured six times in all competitions, as he continues to showcase his importance to Vincent Kompany. But the 29-year-old isn't a guaranteed starter under the Belgian and, according to Falk, could be sold with 'the right offer'.

Bayern will undoubtedly be looking to recoup most of what they paid for the defender three years ago, with his contract expiring in June 2028.

READ NEXT: Who Wants to Be a Millionaire contestant loses thousands on England football question

Kim Min-Jae has set a unique Champions League record

Arsenal are shopping in a completely different market compared to what they used to, demonstrated by the signings of Premier League-proven players 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.

For his top-class defensive attributes and Champions League experience - 40 appearances and counting - the South Korean international would be a phenomenal signing for the Gunners.

In fact, if they manage to pull off a move for him, they would be signing a player who holds an insane record.

During their Champions League clash against Benfica in November 2024, Kim completed all 113 of his passes, as per Opta, and that was the most made by a single player in a Champions League match whilst maintaining a 100% pass completion rate.

That arguably explains why Arsenal have expressed admiration for the Bayern star, as Arteta loves players who are comfortable in possession, as demonstrated by his desire to sign Konsa from Villa.