Arsenal cannot underestimate the importance of the transfer decisions made at the club this summer. Edu and Mikel Arteta have successfully recruited expertly in recent years to bring themselves into the debate for football's biggest prizes and to remain at the pinnacle, navigating the summer window efficiently is crucial.
Adding a new defensive option and bolstering their midfield ranks are the obvious priorities, but who exactly they should bring in is not entirely clear. As football.london have reported since the end of the January transfer window, West Ham's Declan Rice is the summer priority. However, a massive decision made in the Premier League this past week along with an inch-perfect 90-minute performance should change that choice.
Moises Caicedo was the recipient of several bids from north London in January, all of which were unsuccessful before he signed a new Brighton contract the following month. Although reports have indicated that the relationship between the two clubs has been damaged, Arsenal should absolutely make Caicedo their new summer priority.
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To the surprise of many, Caicedo started at right-back for Brighton against Manchester United on Thursday evening and successfully prevented Marcus Rashford from having a significant say in the game. The 21-year-old has already proven to be an elite central midfielder and with his display in a new position has added more bows to his quiver which may be desperately needed at Emirates Stadium.
Versatility is a key attribute Arteta loves his players to have. Leandro Trossard can play at the tip of the attack and on the left-wing while Ben White has been deployed in the centre of defence and at right-back The injury to William Saliba could have severely cost Arsenal this season with a problem to Takehiro Tomiyasu leaving White at full-back and bringing Rob Holding into the team.
Had Caicedo been acquired in the January transfer window, Arteta could have deployed Caicedo in his newfound position and thus been able to move White into the centre of defence. Rice and Caicedo are both excellent central midfielders and would likely thrive in Arsenal's team, but, due to financial constraints it is likely only one can be bought.
The decision over which one to push hard to sign is multi-layered and it will likely be thought about considerably before being made, but there is one clear winner. Caicedo's ability to play in more than one position and do so at such a high level is extremely valuable and in this campaign, it could have kept the title race in Arsenal's hands.
Having seen how no Saliba effects his team, Arteta must ensure that the gaping hole left by the Frenchman is never felt again in any position. By bringing in Caicedo it would significantly lessen the chances of that happening and thus could prove to the difference between a major trophy and an agonising question of what could have been.
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