Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi insists star midfielder Moises Caicedo has nothing to prove in their upcoming match against Arsenal.
- Moises Caicedo, Brighton’s midfielder, has been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal despite recently signing a new contract at Brighton.
- Brighton coach Roberto De Zerbi acknowledges the likelihood of losing key players like Caicedo in the summer but remains focused on the team’s Europa League quest.
- Despite Brighton’s loss to Everton, De Zerbi remains optimistic about a second away win of the season against Arsenal.
As Arsenal continues its pursuit for the Premier League title, eyes are firmly set on Brighton’s influential midfielder, Moises Caicedo. Previously expressing his desire to depart from Albion in January, amidst offers from the Gunners, Caicedo has been centre stage in transfer gossip this year.
Yet, despite the rejected offers, he signed a fresh contract at the Amex Stadium.
Brighton’s 21-year-old Ecuadorian international, alongside Argentina’s World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister, persistently feature in talks of a move away from the club ahead of the next transfer window.
As Roberto De Zerbi, Brighton’s head coach, begins planning for the upcoming season, he remains aware of the potential loss of his key players but urges his squad to keep their sights on the forthcoming trip to the Emirates Stadium and their European aspirations.
De Zerbi expressed his readiness for any potential changes, “I think we will lose some important players, and we have to be ready to restart stronger than this season.” Despite the speculation, De Zerbi holds no doubts about Caicedo’s commitment to Brighton. When asked about any extra motivation for the young player to perform against Arsenal, he firmly responded, “No, I think no. He’s playing for Brighton now and only Brighton.”
Brighton has recently made headlines with the signing of Brazilian forward Joao Pedro from Watford, for a near £30million fee. De Zerbi views this as a clear signal of intent from the club, affirming their ambition to build on their best league campaign in the club’s 122-year history. “Joao Pedro is a very important signal,” De Zerbi stated. “I think Joao Pedro can be a top player for us.”
However, Brighton faces an uphill battle with injuries plaguing their team ahead of their trip to the capital. Key players such as Solly March and Adam Webster join Tariq Lamptey, Adam Lallana, Jakub Moder, and Jeremy Sarmiento on the sidelines. The absence of Webster could result in an opportunity for on-loan Chelsea defender Levi Colwill to shine.
Despite these challenges, De Zerbi hopes to stun Arsenal in their own backyard, aiming to secure a second away win of the season against the Gunners. Reflecting on Arsenal, De Zerbi acknowledged their strength, “Arsenal are one of the best teams in the Premier League, they play in a clear way. I love their style.”
However, he maintains optimism, “We are fighting for the Europa League. If you are fighting for a dream, every game is tough.”
As Arsenal’s title hunt intensifies, the question remains – is Moises Caicedo the missing piece in their puzzle? Time will tell if the Gunners can secure the Brighton star in the summer transfer window.