IAN WRIGHT has admitted that Houssem Aouar’s potential midfield partnership with Thomas Partey could take Arsenal to the next level.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta had been eager to sign the 22-year-old Lyon star throughout the summer.
Houssem Aouar was heavily linked with a move to Arsenal this summerCredit: AFP or licensors
Yet the North Londoners struggled to agree a fee for the talented Frenchman and opted instead to land Partey from Atletico Madrid.
It was also suggested that Aouar himself wanted to stay at Lyon in fear that he would struggle to hit the ground running at Arsenal and put his Euro 2021 hopes in doubt.
Partey meanwhile put in a man of the match performance for the Gunners as they beat Manchester United 1-0 on Sunday.
And amid rumours Arsenal could revive a move for Aouar in January, club legend Wright believes the attacker could be the final piece in the jigsaw.
He told Premier League Productions: “It is [important] because it’s something that’s continually labelled towards Arsenal, that they can’t beat the big-six teams.
“I think that was something that was a little while back now, not since [Arteta’s] been there.
“I think the mentality has changed, the culture in what he’s doing has changed, the intensity and the way he wants to play.
“It’s all changed, it’s a new Arsenal in what they’re trying to do going forward.
If he can continue to improve and then he’s then able to add to that with Aouar, who they’re trying to get in the midfield alongside Partey, then you’ve got someone who can create for the forwards.
Ian Wright on Mikel Arteta
“If he can continue to improve, like players improve with his coaching, and then he’s then able to add to that with Aouar, who they’re trying to get in the midfield alongside Partey, then you’ve got someone who can create for the forwards.
“So it’s all looking good and winning games like this will only stand you in good stead and give confidence to the team.”
Arsenal have been without a chief creative force in midfield since top earner Mesut Ozil was axed from the squad.
Aouar has already scored twice and assisted another for Lyon this season – but they are seven points adrift of Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain.
And Wright recently expressed his hope that Arsenal can still get their man after being denied in the summer.
Speaking to about Partey’s arrival, he added: “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.”
Houssem Aouar shows off his ball control in Lyon football training
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
