Ex-Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit wants the Gunners to pursue Brighton pair Alexis Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo ahead of Youri Tielemans.

Mikel Arteta’s side have been watching Tielemans for well over a year and, with the Belgian’s contract set to expire, a switch to the Emirates looks increasingly likely. However, Petit believes Mac Allister and Caicedo would be better suited to the London club:

“If we’re talking about midfielders for Arsenal, I know the links are there with Tielemans at Leicester, who I think is a good player but I’m not sure he is what Arsenal needs. Mac Allister, I said this last season before he won the World Cup, he is a guy that does everything in the midfield. He sets the tempo, carries the ball. Technically, he is very good. He scores goals.”

“The guy that sits next to him at Brighton, Caicedo, he is excellent. If Arsenal could take both of those players, two guys who know each other, they would fit perfectly at the club.”

Mac Allister was linked with Arsenal in the Argentinian press over the weekend, so that could be one to look out for in the coming weeks and months. With regards to Caicedo, though, it could be a difficult deal to tie up.

Brighton are believed to be demanding in the region of £60m to £70m for the Ecuadorian international, with the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool also said to be interested in securing his signature.

In contrast, Tielemans will be a free agent in six months’ time so, while Petit may be right in his praise for the two Brighton players, the decision on who the club will end up going after may come down to finances.