Arsenal have a contingency plan for if their top target falls through….

What’s the word?

According to the Daily Star, the Gunners are planning to submit an official offer for Leicester City's Youri Tielemans before the summer transfer deadline.

If the deal becomes insurmountable, however, Mikel Arteta might move for Brighton and Hove Albion star Moises Caicedo.

Having signed for them in February 2021, for just £4.5m. He therefore still has three years left on his £3.4k-per-week deal.

AC Milan’s Sandro Tonali was also touted, but Fabrizio Romano quashed those rumours as quickly as they began. 

He’s the perfect Tielemans alternative

With the Belgian high on their list, it is clear that Arsenal are searching for a ball-playing midfielder who can control a game on his own.

If he cannot be captured, the perfect alternative is Caicedo as he has cemented himself as one of the Premier League’s hottest prospects in midfield.

Having only managed 11 appearances in the league for Graham Potter’s side, the 20-year-old remains fresh to English football.

His average SofaScore rating suggests that he has acclimatised well, however, recording 7.04 last season and 7.00 in the opening four games of this season.

Tielemans excels when it comes to progressing his side up the pitch, as he ranks in the 12^th percentile for progressive passes per 90.

The Ecuadorian boasts somewhat similar stats, as this season has recorded 1.3 key passes per game with a pass accuracy of 84%.

His work rate also sets him apart from the rest of the crowd when combined with his ability on the ball, with Football Talent Scout labelling him a “machine man”.

Whilst Tielemans offers more calmness and ability on the ball, Caicedo’s defensive output would probably be more beneficial to an Arsenal side inundated with talented ball-players. He has averaged 3.7 tackles and 1.7 interceptions per game, ranking fifth for tackles in the league.

Perhaps alongside Oleksandr Zinchenko or even Granit Xhaka, Caidedo could provide the perfect partner to propel the Gunners further up the table.

He is the ideal alternative to Tieleman for Arteta, as he provides all the similar foundations that make them both brilliant players with some added defensive security.

Perhaps he should even be considered above the Belgian, and if that deal is to fall through, it could be a blessing in disguise.