Caicedo owns up to ‘bad tackle’ in effort to keep Arsenal sweet ahead of potential £80m move

Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo has owned up to making a “bad tackle” on Gabriel Martinelli on Sunday amid transfer links to Arsenal.

The Ecuador international came in for a lot of stick on social media after his tough challenge on Arsenal forward Martinelli saw the Brazilian hobble off after 20 minutes in .

It came shortly after Martinelli – who was pictured wearing a protective boot after the match – wiped out Kaoru Mitoma with some supporters claiming Caicedo’s tackle was ‘revenge’ for that challenge.

And Caicedo took to Twitter on Monday to express his regret at a “bad tackle” on Martinelli, he wrote: “If I could turn back time I wouldn’t have made that bad tackle. (Shrug emoji).”

Arsenal head of medical services Gary O’Driscoll gave a fan an update on Martinelli’s injury on Sunday, he said: “Sore. Terrible foul, disgraceful foul.

“But yeah, he’s a bit sore but he should be okay.” O’Driscoll added: “Yeah, I think he should be back before the end of the season.”

Caicedo’s comments come as he’s heavily linked with a move to Arsenal ahead of the summer transfer window with the Gunners reportedly failing with two bids in the winter window.

There are reports that Caicedo will cost at least £80m to lure away from Brighton .

The Premier League duo could ‘cost a combined £170m’ and the Gunners’ expected transfer ‘splurge’ may ‘exceed £200m’ if they land all their targets.

The Athletic journalist David Ornstein told Sky Sports ‘Back Pages Tonight’ show that Arsenal are looking to act quickly in the transfer market this summer.

Ornstein said: “I think it’s going to be a huge summer at the Emirates Stadium, and they look like they’re trying to move quickly to get stuff done sooner rather than later.

“They might need to strike while the iron is hot, and really turn the screw in the transfer market to pounce on some of these players, while they have shown the world that they are competitive again.”

Arsenal will have more money thanks to their qualification for next year’s Champions League and Ornstein added: “Clearly they’ve got an opportunity here to trade.