If things had panned out differently in January, Moises Caicedo would be preparing to face his former team on Sunday as Arsenal entertain Brighton at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners were desperate to land the Seagulls midfielder to boost their title chances over the second half of the season, but saw two bids rejected before eventually backing off in the face of firm Brighton resistance.
It was a blow for Arsenal, one that was softened when they managed to get Jorginho in through the door from Chelsea soon after. But it was a bigger blow for Caicedo, who had very publicly attempted to push the move through when he took to social media and called for Brighton to let him go.
Many wondered whether there would be a way back for the Ecuador international at the Amex Stadium after that, but Roberto De Zerbi stood by him and brought him back into fold almost as soon as the transfer window had shut. The 21-year-old has since gone to sign a new contract with the south coast club.
But that hasn’t stopped talk of a summer exit, and as Caicedo prepares to come up against Arsenal for the first time since those dramatic January events, he knows the Gunners still have him in their minds as they look towards the summer window.