Arteta admits missing out on Caicedo was a 'BIG inconvenience'
Mikel Arteta admits missing out on priority target Moises Caicedo was a ‘BIG inconvenience’ – and insists Arsenal had to be ‘flexible’ on deadline day to change course and sign Jorginho from Chelsea
- Brighton rejected Arsenal’s £70m bid for Moises Caicedo ahead of deadline day
- The club switches strategies and lured defensive midfielder Jorginho for £12m
- Mikel Arteta admitted Thomas Partey was ‘still a doubt’ ahead of the weekend
Mikel Arteta has admitted that Arsenal’s failed pursuit of Brighton star Moises Caicedo was a ‘big inconvenience’, but the Gunners boss praised his club’s adaptability in landing Jorginho as a replacement.
The Italian midfielder arrived at the Emirates from Chelsea for £12million on deadline day, after the Seagulls snubbed Arsenal’s £70m bid for the Ecuadorian international.
Arteta had made no secret of his desire to improve Arsenal’s defensive midfield in January and succeeded in luring an experienced leader to north London, despite failing to recruit his first-choice target.
‘We knew that in this market you have to adapt and be flexible and ready for inconvenience,’ Arteta said in his press conference on Friday ahead of Arsenal’s trip to face Everton at Goodison Park this weekend.
‘We had a big one with Mo and we needed a player in that position. (Jorginho’s) a great character who’ll bring leadership and quality in that position.’
Mikel Arteta admitted that Arsenal’s failed pursuit of Moises Caicedo was a ‘big inconvenience’
Italian midfielder Jorginho arrived at the Emirates from Chelsea for £12million on deadline day
Caicedo seemed to be the ideal replacement for Arsenal’s star defensive midfielder Thomas Partey, who has continually suffered with minor injuries this season, fitting the profile of the Ghanaian perfectly.
The Brighton man mirrors Partey’s physicality and athleticism in the engine room – an aspect of the game that Jorginho is not particularly known for.
However, with Arsenal’s young squad gunning for a first Premier League title in two decades having carved out a five-point lead ahead of Manchester City at the top of the table, Jorginho’s experience could prove crucial in the latter half of the season.
When asked whether Partey would be available to face the Toffees, Arteta said: ‘Let’s see. That one is still a doubt. Let’s see how he comes in and if he’s able to train or not.
‘He’s not ruled out and it’s not significant but hopefully he’ll be fine.’
With Jorginho coming in to cover in defensive midfield for Partey, Arsenal were happy to allow Albert Sambi Lokonga to join Crystal Palace on loan.
Arteta added: ‘Sambi needed time to develop the talent that he has and in Palace I think we found the right club and coaching staff.’
The Gunners boss went on to laud the ‘enormous potential’ of Brazilian winger Gabriel Martinelli, who signed a new four-and-a-half year contract at Arsenal on Friday.
Brighton rejected Arsenal’s £70m bid for the Ecuadorian international ahead of deadline day
When asked about the long-term deal, Arteta said: ‘It is great news, obviously we want to build on all the talent and youth we have in the squad so it is great to see them happy and willing to commit to the club and what we want to do for the future.
‘He is a player with enormous potential that still has so many things to improve but is already performing at a really high level.
‘He can develop physically, mentally, develop in terms of consistency, he can develop defensively, in the final third and the spaces he occupies and his numbers can improve but he is so willing, that is the best thing about Gabi.’
Winger Gabriel Martinelli signed a fresh four-and-a-half year deal with the Gunners on Friday
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