Arsenal eye Liverpool and Manchester City’s target to bolster their midfield.
Arsenal’s hunt for a midfielder continues as Unai Emery eyes Lyon’s star Houssem Aouar as Aaron Ramsey’s replacement. The French International has been a revelation in the Ligue 1 by turning the heads of several European heavyweights including Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City, and Chelsea.
According to the French Football magazine, the Gunners are weighing up a move for Houssem Aouar as they prepare to tussle with several sides across Europe. The midfielder has been anchoring his side in the middle of the park and has turned the heads of several scouts who have been attending Lyon games continuously.
The 20-year-old has featured 21 times for the French outfit this season. He has bagged 5 goals and assisted his teammates on 6 occasions in the process. His versatility to play as a defensive and attacking midfielder has attracted the Gunners boss Unai Emery who knows what he can bring to the table already having worked in the Ligue 1 with PSG before.
Currently, the Gunners are facing severe competition for the top four spot. Arsenal will have a chance to land Aouar only if they qualify for Europe’s prestige competition
In an interview with the famous French outlet RMC Sport, Aouar has come out and said that he would like to work with Pep Guardiola,
“He’s a fascinating coach with convictions and motivation, a coach who knows what he wants. We all share the same views about football, but I also share his opinions and the way he plays with his team. So it would be nice to be coached by someone like him.”
The midfielder impressed the Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola when Lyon went toe-to-toe against the Citizens to gain four points in the Champions League group stages this season. The Spaniard was full of praise for Aouar when his side played out a draw against the French club during the post-match press conference in Groupama Stadium.
“Houssem Aouar is a very good player. He is incredible. We talk a lot about (Tanguy) Ndombele, but Aouar is also excellent. He’s always very calm with the ball at his feet, with an excellent technical quality.”
“Lyon really has a very good team. There are young people full of quality and I think the team is in place tactically. I think we can congratulate them, we have had absences tonight, but we have to congratulate them.” he said.
It is agreeable that Arsenal will face stubborn competition from most parts of Europe who are all hoping to secure his signature. With Lucas Torreira, Matteo Guendouzi and Granit Xhaka in the midfield already, the addition of Houssem Aouar will make them incredibly stronger in the midfield department despite the departure of their skipper.
The current longest-serving Arsenal player Aaron Ramsey has refused to extend his contract with the London club. There were rumours that the Gunners would be willing to listen to the offers in January to cash in on him, but he has come out and said that he would be willing to see out his contract.
