Houssem Aouar (Getty Images)
According to L’Equipe (h/t Daily Mail), Arsenal are interested in signing Lyon star Houssem Aouar ahead of the new campaign.
Aouar, 22, is a product of Lyon’s youth system. After excelling with the club’s youth set-up, he was promoted to the senior team in the summer of 2016. Since then, he has gone on to make 134 appearances for the French outfit and has established himself as a key member of the squad.
He has also been a regular member of the French U21 squad and has impressed in the last couple of seasons.
His impressive performances have caught the attention of several clubs across Europe. Clubs like Manchester City and Juventus are also keen on signing the midfielder, who is one of the best young talents in France, as per the report. Thus, Arsenal should make a swift move for Aouar this summer.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta should focus on strengthening his midfield. At the moment, there are only three attack-minded central midfielders available at the manager’s disposal. Youngster Joe Willock and Matteo Guendouzi are two of the midfielders but none of them has claimed the spot for themselves.
Dani Ceballos is the other one. The Spaniard started to slowly get into shape and played a key role in the middle of the park this season for the Gunners. However, he was on loan from Real Madrid and his future is uncertain.
Guendouzi is another player who could leave, with Villareal interested in signing him. This would leave Arteta with limited options. Thus, a central midfielder is a must in the summer.
In that regard, Aouar would be a terrific signing for the club. After racking up 6 goals and 5 assists in his first full season with Lyon, he followed it with 7 goals and 8 assists in the following league campaign. This term, he managed to score 3 goals and provide 3 assists before the season was called off. And this shows he is capable of producing the goods for the Gunners.
He is a goalscoring midfielder, something that Arsenal have lacked throughout the season. His inclusion would definitely add depth and quality to Arteta’s squad.
With limited quality in midfield, the Gunners are in dire need of midfielders. And Aouar, who is just 22, could be the person to help them. He has a lot of room for development and could also provide them with some much-needed extra goals and assists. Thus, they should lure the Frenchman to the Emirates this summer.
