Arsenal have reportedly given Mikel Arteta the green light to sign both Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo to bolster their midfield this summer as they look to bounce back from falling just short in their bid to win a first Premier League title since 2004.
The Gunners were in the driving seat in the title race, but three draws and a defeat in four games derailed any momentum that they had, and a loss to Brighton in their last game all but confirmed that Manchester City will be Premier League champions for the fifth time in six years.
🗣️ “One of the worst pieces of defending I’ve seen ALL season!” @Carra23 & @GNev2 analyse Arsenal’s 3-0 defeat to Brighton. pic.twitter.com/jY94Z16vFc
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 15, 2023
Four points clear at the top of the Premier League and with a game in hand on the Gunners, Pep Guardiola’s side can confirm their status as Champions as early as their clash with Chelsea on Sunday, with three points enough to crown them.
But, back in the Champions League for the first time since 2017, Arsenal are planning a major strengthening this summer, with at least two midfielders, a defender and a forward on their shopping list.
And, according to the Times, ‘Arsenal have cleared Mikel Arteta to break the club’s spending record this summer in a splurge that may exceed £200 million’, and which will in an ideal world include both Declan Rice and Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo.
The West Ham man is thought to be set to cost around £100m, though Arsenal will be trying to do a deal for less, while the Gunners had three bids turned down for Caicedo in January but believe that £80m could be enough to secure his signature this summer, with Roberto De Zerbi admitting there is a ‘good chance’ the Ecuador midfielder will leave the club.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/mikel-arteta-arsenal-declan-rice-moses-caicedo-gj2pft29n
