Former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit has urged the Gunners to sign Brighton & Hove Albion pair Alexis Mac Alister and Moises Caicedo in the January transfer window.
Mikel Arteta’s side are expected to stay active in the winter transfer window after their star Gabriel Jesus Injury to the inner knee World Cup 2022. Petit believes the Premier League leaders could also use some reinforcements in midfield. The north London side were closely linked with Leicester City’s Youri Tielemans and Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz in the summer, but neither deal came to fruition.
Speaking to Mega Casino, Petit stated that the 2022 FIFA World Cup winner Mac Allister and high-profile Ecuadorian Caicedo would be a better fit for Londoners than Tielemans. The former France international said:
“If we are talking about Arsenal midfielders, I know there is a connection with Tielemens at Leicester, who I think is a good player but I am not sure he is the person Arsenal need. I am a big fan of two Brighton players: Alexis Mac Alister and Moises Caicedo.
“Mac Alister, I said this last season before he won the World Cup, he’s a guy who can do everything in midfield. He sets the tempo, carries the ball. Technically, he’s very good. He scored.”
Petit went on to defend his case, saying:
“The person sitting next to him in Brighton, Caicedo, he was brilliant. If Arsenal can get both of those players, who know each other, they will be a perfect fit for the club. They will do everything Arteta wants in midfield. Both are young and can cooperate for many years.
“Mac Allister just won the World Cup. He won the Copa America last year. In terms of experience and maturity, he played almost every match at the World Cup and he played very well. He’s in Brighton! What are Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City doing? Any! He plays excellent football.”
Alexis Mac Allister could add a new dimension to Arsenal’s midfield
Argentinian star Alexis Mac Allister proved his bravery at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, earning the midfield spot and holding that spot throughout the tournament. He demonstrates the ability to choose the correct pass, control the ball under pressure and act as an extra striker when needed.
At the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Mac Allister started six games, scoring once and assisting once. He also created two great chances, averaging 1.3 important passes per game and achieving an 89% pass accuracy (39 passes average). He was also solid on defense, making 3 interceptions, making 9 tackles and winning 54% of all duels.
Alexis and his father, Carlos Mac Allister, are lucky to play on the same pitch as these legends https://t.co/g4eAHTJdKz
The Gunners are quite stacked in midfield with Granite Xhaka, Mohamed Elneny, and Thomas Partey both have the ability to lose weight. Signing Mac Allister can round out their roster, giving them a player who can find the perfect balance between attack and defense.
