Gunners hit a roadblock in bid for Caicedo

ARSENAL face a fight to sign Moises Caicedo before the transfer window closes next Tuesday, with Brighton determined to keep the midfielder. The Gunners want to bring in a new midfielder due to concerns around the fitness of Mohamed Elneny, who has been out with a knee injury. It is unclear when Elneny will return and Arsenal are interested in bringing in Caicedo (left) as competition for Thomas Partey, as they bid to maintain their title charge. Brighton, however, are determined to keep hold of Caicedo and are under no financial pressure to cash in, after banking £26million by selling Leandro Trossard to Arsenal last week. Caicedo has also publicly said he is happy at Brighton and the club would demand a fee in the region of £75million. That has already put off Chelsea, who are interested in Caicedo but are looking at other targets, such as Everton’s Amadou Onana and Matheus Nunes, of Wolves. There is a belief those two are more attainable during the current window.

Both Everton and Wolves are battling relegation and Chelsea could offer Nunes or Onana a way out. Arsenal have also shown an interest in Onana.

MIKEL ARTETA does not believe tomorrow night’s FA Cup clash against Manchester City will have an impact on the title race, but says it will tell Arsenal “a lot about where we are”.

The Gunners are currently five points clear of Manchester City in the Premier League, with a game in hand, and they will meet for the first time this season tomorrow in the fourth round of the Cup at the Etihad Stadium. Given they meet again in the League on February 15, the significance of the game has been talked up.

But Arteta (right, taking training today) said: “I think there are going to be two very different games, and to put similarities into them is very unreal.

“Maybe because of the players on the pitch, but as well the context is different. Let’s see. Obviously, it is important to win and play well. That gives you more momentum, more confidence and prepares you better for the next match, and that’s our focus.

“It’s a big match, and a big test for us against, in my opinion, the best team in the world. I’m looking forward to it, because it will tell us a lot about where we are.”

Arteta is expected to make changes to his team, with centre-back Jakub Kiwior hoping to make his debut after joining on Monday from Spezia for £21million.

“He gives us more cover,” said Arteta. “We’ve been with three central defenders for the first part of the season, which is very short, and we’ve been lucky with injuries. We needed to recruit in that position and we’ve done it. Jakub plays different roles and is a versatile player, and he’s going to strengthen the team. If anything else is available that can make us better, we’ll look at it.”

Fellow new signing Leandro Trossard, who joined last week from Brighton, could get his first start after impressing off the bench in Sunday’s 3-2 win against Manchester United.

“I see a player willing to make things happen and is especially composed in the final third — and that is something we needed to add,” said Arteta. “Straight away, he had a beautiful impact on the team to help us to win.”