What Moises Caicedo said after his Arsenal move collapsed is now very interesting

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Moises Caicedo is set to start for Chelsea against Arsenal, but things would’ve been very different if his 2023 wish had come true.

The Ecuador international became a popular man after joining Brighton and Hove Albion. He was a star there under Roberto De Zerbi and attracted interest from several clubs.

Arsenal tried to sign Caicedo in 2023, and the player was keen on the move as well. But the Seagulls shut the door and refused to let him go.

That didn’t sit well with the midfielder at the time.

Moises Caicedo said he ‘suffered a lot’ after his move to Arsenal collapsed in 2023

Arsenal were very serious about signing Moises Caicedo in January 2023.

The Gunners were in need of a deep-lying midfielder, and the decision-makers at the Emirates felt that the Ecuadorian was the perfect option.

Mikel Arteta’s side tabled a first bid of £60 million, but that was turned down by Brighton. Then, Edu returned with a £70 million offer, but that was rejected as well. (Sky Sports)

Caicedo even took to Instagram, begging his old club to let him join Arsenal, but his pleas were ignored, and he ended up staying in the end.

In April of the same year, the midfielder sat down for an interview with the Telegraph and admitted that he was heartbroken that his move to the Emirates didn’t materialise.

“I was really close to going (to Arsenal). I suffered a lot,” he said.

“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.”

Caicedo joined Chelsea in the following summer, but Arsenal fans didn’t care as Declan Rice had joined their club by then.

Arsenal fans should be happy that they missed out on Moises Caicedo

Caicedo would’ve been an incredible signing for Arsenal; there’s no debate there.

The 24-year-old is one of the best midfielders in the world today, and we think he would’ve been even better under a manager like Arteta.

However, if Arsenal’s £70 million bid for Caicedo was successful in January 2023, it is extremely unlikely that they would’ve spent £105 million on Rice in the following summer.

Missing out on the former Brighton midfielder proved to be a blessing in disguise in the end because Rice is the better midfielder, and he has been excellent since he joined the Gunners.