Arsenal transfer news: Moises Caicedo says January deal was ‘really close’ as he bemoans ‘suffering’ after saga
Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo has admitted that he was “really close” to joining Arsenal in January and “suffered a lot” when the move collapsed.
Arsenal failed with two bids for Caicedo during the most recent transfer window, with the second offer worth around £70million. Brighton, however, rejected all approaches for the Ecuador international as they insisted he would not be leaving mid-season.
Arsenal instead made a deadline-day swoop for Jorginho, signing him from Chelsea for £12m, and Caicedo remained at Brighton.
“I was really close to going [to Arsenal],” Caicedo told the Daily Telegraph. “I suffered a lot. I’m sure I’m going to have many more opportunities. That’s why I continue to do things well.
“[But] it was tough. At the beginning when I didn’t end up going, lots of people would make fun of me on Instagram. People treated me badly. I didn’t check my social media because it would hurt me to see things.
“I’d seen a lot of Arsenal before knowing that there was a possibility of me signing for them. I watched them and I liked them because they have very young, talented players and some stars but they always have that mindset of wanting more.”
Arsenal offered ideal chance to restate case for defence before Erling Haaland test
Arsenal’s match on Friday night looks like a perfect opportunity to get their title charge back on track.
The Gunners have stumbled in their past two matches, blowing two-goal leads against Liverpool and West Ham to draw 2-2 on both occasions. It means their lead at the top of the Premier League over Manchester City stands at four points instead of eight.
Victory on Friday, however, would stretch it to seven ahead of Wednesday’s potential title decider between the two teams at Etihad Stadium.
Arsenal should be confident of doing exactly that, because their own troubles are nothing in comparison to Southampton’s. The visitors are bottom of the League, four points from safety, and are winless in their last six games. The visitors also have a miserable record against Arsenal, winning just two of their 45 League games away to the Gunners, the most recent in 1987.
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Arsene Wenger believes Arsenal have crucial ‘advantage’ over Manchester City in Premier League title race
Arsene Wenger has predicted Arsenal will still go on to win the Premier League, believing the Gunners can take advantage of Manchester City’s hectic fixture list.
Arsenal sit four points clear at the top of the table but have played a game more than City, and travel to their title rivals on Wednesday night for a match that could well decide the outcome of the title race.
Before that though, Mikel Arteta’s side host Southampton tonight as they look to get back to winning ways after frustrating draws with Liverpool and West Ham. It gives Arsenal the chance to arrive at the Etihad next week with a seven-point advantage, as City are in FA Cup action this weekend against Sheffield United at Wembley.
Pep Guardiola admitted he is concerned that fatigue could hurt his side in that semi-final clash, after his side secured their place in the Champions League last-four in midweek with a 4-1 aggregate win over Bayern Munich.
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Daniel Levy says Arsenal success makes him ‘sick’ as Tottenham chairman defends lack of trophies
Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has admitted that Arsenal’s success this season makes him “feel sick”.
The Gunners are challenging Manchester City for the Premier League title, while Spurs have endured a disappointing campaign and are in danger of missing out on a place in the Champions League.
Levy feels Tottenham have “progressed enormously” under owners ENIC but admits he is not happy with their lack of trophies.
Spurs have won just one League Cup – back in 2008 – in his 22 years at the club and they crashed out of all cup competitions in disappointing fashion this season.Levy admits “the ultimate is about winning the trophies” and says it has been hard watching Arsenal flourish this season.
Levy admits “the ultimate is about winning the trophies” and says it has been hard watching Arsenal flourish this season.
“It has been an incredible journey, in the 22 years Tottenham has progressed enormously in that time period,” said Levy, speaking at the debating society of Cambridge University on March 14. “Not as much as, as a fan, we would hope. But the journey is not over and we are still hoping that we are going to get that trophy that we need.
“It is about winning. But winning, depending on the moment in time you ask that question to various people, means different things. When we first came in to Tottenham, winning was making sure we stayed in the Premier League.
“And then as time goes on and we became more successful it was about getting into the Europa League, getting in the Champions League, and obviously the ultimate is about winning the trophies.
Bukayo Saka to remain Arsenal penalty taker despite West Ham miss after Mikel Arteta backing
Bukayo Saka will remain Arsenal’s penalty taker despite his costly miss against West Ham, manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed.
The England winger sent his spot-kick wide at the London Stadium last weekend in a pivotal moment of the match, just minutes before the Hammers equalised for 2-2 through Jarrod Bowen.
It was the second time in a week that leaders Arsenal had blown a two-goal lead to draw, leaving them only four points clear of Manchester City at the Premier League summit. Pep Guardiola’s defending champions have a game in hand and host their rivals at the Etihad Stadium in a potential title decider next Wednesday.
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Arsenal driven by ‘revenge’ as squad bid to get Premier League title bid back on track, says Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta says his Arsenal players are being fuelled by “a sense of revenge and determination” as they bid to get their title charge back on track against Southampton.
The Gunners are currently four points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League, although Pep Guardiola’s side have a game in hand.
If Arsenal beat Southampton on Friday they can stretch their lead to seven points ahead of Wednesday’s crucial title decider against City at the Etihad Stadium.
Arsenal’s lead, however, could be greater as they have drawn their last two games after being 2-0 up and Arteta believes those setbacks are driving his side on.
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Sol Campbell makes Arsenal return as Mikel Arteta hopes legends can inspire title charge
Mikel Arteta hopes the influence of Arsenal legends can help his side stay ahead of Manchester City in the title run-in.
Invincibles defender Sol Campbell was a guest at Arsenal’s training ground this week as the Gunners prepare to host Southampton on Friday night.
Campbell watched training before having lunch in the players’ canteen with technical director Edu and fellow invincible Martin Keown. After lunch, Campbell mingled with the players and had a long conversation with captain Martin Odegaard.
Arteta and Edu have regularly organised meetings with the current squad and club legends, including David Seaman, Dennis Bergkamp and Thierry Henry. They will hope the latest one has lifted the mood after 2-2 draws at Liverpool and West Ham handed the initiative in the title race to City.
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Prediction: Arsenal to win 3-0
For all Arsenal will be frustrated with draws at Anfield and the London Stadium, there were still positives to take as they started both matches in imperious fashion.
The Gunners will surely not be so careless should they move ahead against the worst side in the Premier League, and will be confident of picking up a comfortable win ahead of the season-defining trip to the Etihad.
Arsenal to win, 3-0.
Southampton team news: Che Adams still a doubt
Ainsley Maitland-Niles is ineligible to feature for Southampton against his parent club, but Theo Walcott is in contention to start against the Gunners.
Che Adams is close to returning from a calf injury, though this match will come too soon for the Scotland forward.
Mislav Orsic is back and Tino Livramento is nearing a first-team return, though Mohamed Salisu and Juan Larios remain in the treatment room.
