Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Moises Caicedo faces an awkward encounter if he completes a transfer to Arsenal this summer. The Ecuadorian starlet faced criticism for his early challenge on Gabriel Martinelli, spotted wearing a protective boot after full-time.
Brighton and Hove Albion ran riot at the Emirates Stadium, all but ending Arsenal’s Premier League hopes with a 3-0 win.
And Mikel Arteta’s afternoon was made worse by Martinelli’s 20th-minute withdrawal after coming under a crunching tackle from Caciedo.
The 21-year-old clattered into Martinelli moments after avoiding punishment for a mid-air collision with Kaoru Mitoma.
After Sunday’s defeat, a fan caught Arsenal’s head of medical services, Gary O’Driscoll, in his car, where he provided an update on the Brazilian’s condition.
O’Driscoll said: “He’s a bit sore, but he should be ok. Will he be back for the end of the season? Yeah, I think he’ll be back.”
He also aimed fire at Caicedo for the tackle that forced Martinelli off, describing it as “terrible and disgraceful.”
Oleksandr Zinchenko and William Saliba are reportedly set to miss the remainder of Arsenal’s campaign.
But O’Driscoll offered supporters hope by claiming that both stars are battling to return for Saturday’s trip to Nottingham Forest.
“Not sure about him [Zinchenko]. Everyone’s fighting to be back for the next game. Saliba? Same. Next game,” the physio explained.
Caicedo may not initially be in O’Driscoll’s good books if he completes a long-reported switch to Arsenal at the end of the summer.
The Gunners attempted to lure him to north London in January as Arteta looked for midfield reinforcements, but Brighton rejected a £70million approach.
Caicedo is widely expected to depart the Amex Stadium this summer, despite Brighton’s push for Europa League football next season.
And Roberto De Zerbi sparked further speculation on Sunday, admitting Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister could be two players who depart.
He told reporters: “We will lose some players, maybe Caicedo or maybe [Alexis] Mac Allister. We need to bring in some other good players.”
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