Emmanuel Petit: I Wanted Arsenal to Sign Caicedo and Mac Allister Before Chelsea and Liverpool Did

Former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit has revealed that he wanted the Gunners to sign Moises Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister before they joined Chelsea and Liverpool, respectively.

Petit, who won the Premier League and FA Cup with Arsenal, said he believed both players possessed the technical quality and composure that would have perfectly complemented Mikel Arteta’s project at the Emirates.

Speaking to JeffBet, the Frenchman admitted he was disappointed Arsenal missed out on the Brighton duo, especially after seeing how well both have performed for their new clubs.

“When Caicedo was at Brighton, I wanted Arsenal to sign him and Mac Allister together,” Petit said.
“Mac Allister has gone on to be one of the best midfielders in the Premier League and won the trophy last year, Caicedo is now one of the best, too.”

Chelsea splashed £115 million to secure Caicedo, while Liverpool signed Mac Allister for an initial £35 million, rising to £55 million with add-ons — both deals happening the same year Arsenal signed Declan Rice for £105 million from West Ham.

Petit went on to praise Caicedo’s progress at Chelsea, comparing him to Premier League legends like N’Golo Kanté and Claude Makélélé.

“Caicedo can reach the same level as Kanté and Makélélé. I wish him all the best to become a legend at the club,” Petit added.
“Chelsea need to win the Premier League and other big trophies. They’ve started well with the Conference League and Club World Cup, but they’re still a level below where they should be.”

Opinion: Petit’s Words Highlight Arsenal’s Missed Midfield Masterplan

Petit’s comments echo a sentiment many Arsenal fans quietly share — that while the signing of Declan Rice was monumental, pairing him with either Caicedo or Mac Allister could have elevated the Gunners’ midfield to world-class depth.

Rice’s strength, discipline, and leadership are undeniable, but imagine him alongside Mac Allister’s silky passing and positional awareness or Caicedo’s tenacious ball-winning energy. Arsenal might have created a midfield trio capable of dominating Europe.

Still, Arsenal’s recruitment strategy under Arteta has been about balance, chemistry, and financial caution — and so far, it’s paying off. Yet, Petit's “what could have been” reflection serves as a reminder that football isn’t just about the stars you sign; it’s also about the ones that got away.

Caicedo and Mac Allister are now thriving elsewhere, but in another timeline, they could have been wearing red and white — orchestrating Arsenal’s march to glory.