Arsenal legend Ian Wright is hopeful that the club will revive a move for Lyon playmaker Housse Aouar following the signing of Thomas Partey.
The Ghanian completed a £45million move to the Emirates on deadline day, bringing to an end one of the longest running sagas of the summer transfer window.
The Gunners were working with tight financial constraints in the window but that didn’t stop Arteta targeting Aouar, who was valued at £50m by Lyon.
Unfortunately for Arteta, Arsenal were unable to raise enough money through player sales in order to fund a move for the France international.
Aouar decided to stay for Lyon for a further season but the competition for the 22-year-old’s signature is expected to be even greater in the future with the likes of Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain interested.
Wright backed Arsenal’s decision to prioritise Partey but the former Gunners striker admits he would like to see Aouar arrive to add more creativity to the side’s midfield.
Asked about Partey’s arrival, Wright told Premier League Productions: ‘I’m very happy. The way he played in midweek against Rapid Vienna, okay they’re not the greatest opposition but he was magnificent.
‘He’s exactly what Arsenal are looking for. He can bring the ball forward and he can set moves going. I think we’ll see Xhaka dropping in and Ceballos further forward because at the end of the day that’s where Arsenal still need to create in that last third of the pitch.
‘I don’t mind that [Partey’s disciplinary record] because he’s somebody that does intercept. Already from his first game he’s got more interceptions individually than the rest of Arsenal’s midfield. He’s somebody that can win the ball but he can progress the ball. They still need more, he’s not the main one and that’s why Arsenal went for Houssem Aouar as well. I’m hoping they can still get him at some stage but Partey is a massive improvement on what Arsenal have got.’
