Arsenal have been linked with a potential deal for Houssem Aouar almost every transfer window since 2018. But will the Lyon playmaker finally join the Gunners this summer?
Arsenal have never hidden their interest for Aouar and everybody knows about including users of casino online. Even before the Gunners signed Thomas Partey, the French-Algerian was said to be on top of the Gunner’s wish list. However, things haven’t been smooth.
This time around though, it appears that Lyon are prepared to lose their talisman. Calciomercato reports that Aouar is not expected to receive an extension and with his contract set to expire in 2023. Lyon prefer cashing in on his services rather than let him leave for free.
According to reports, Derby d’Italia rivals Inter and Juventus are both in the picture alongside Arsenal. Of the three clubs, it is the Gunners who made an attempt last year to sign Aouar, but Lyon president Jean Michel Aulas and the management dispelled any interest.
Inter are searching for a potential successor to Croatian ace Marcelo Brozovic, who himself is yet to renew his contract with the Nerazzurri. Juventus on the other hand, seem keen to bolster their midfield with a young face, who can play alongside Manuel Locatelli and Denis Zakaria.
Aouar has five goals and three assists in 32 appearances for the Olympians this campaign. In Martin Odegard and Emile Smith Rowe, Arsenal have two youngsters similar to Aouar. But the Frenchman offers something different.
Though he plays at central midfield, he has the characteristics of a player playing higher up the pitch. From deeper positions, Aouar is an outstanding progressor of the ball from half-spaces. In the final third, he is especially adept at creating dangerous shooting positions for himself and his teammates. Aouar is reputed as one of the most coveted goal-scoring number 8s in Europe with https://www.southafricancasinosites.com/ paying close attention to the player.
Aouar is an above average creator for his position as can be seen by the scatter below. He creates 4.54 Shot-Creating Actions per 90, which is in the top 98th percentile for players in his position. He outranks Arsenal’s current midfield options.
The Lyon midfielder is someone that is going to influence the game if you can get him into the final third. It’s an area that Arsenal’s midfielders often struggle in – whether that is down to the tactics of the manager remains a matter of opinion. One concern for the Reds would be that Naby Keïta was also a player who had a high influence in key areas before moving to Anfield.
Born during France ’98 in Lyon, Aouar has been a member of the club set-up since the age of 11 and has been carefully nurtured through the ranks before making his B-team debut at the age of 17. In 2014 he also earned a call-up to the France Under-17 squad.
His big break came in 2017 when he made his first-team debut as a late substitute in a Europa League fixture against AZ Alkmaar before scoring his first goal for the club a week later in the return leg, firing in confidently from close range with the score at 5-1.
