Should Arsenal buy Houssem Aouar? by Assndir.
In the first half of the 20/21 season, Arsenal had dreadful performance after dreadful performance due to the lack of one of many things, a solid creative midfielder.
However, after the introduction of Emile Smith-Rowe on Boxing Day and Martin Odegaard’s loan from Real Madrid in the January transfer window, Arsenal were seeing more goal-scoring chances and the overall performance of the Arsenal team.
Despite this, Martin Odegaard (Arsenal’s reported top target) has returned to the Santiago Bernabeau and it seems that new Los Blancos manager Carlo Ancelotti has included him in his plans, as well as the big price tag that will come with the Norwegian. I doubt that Smith-Rowe can play 38 full games next season.
Arsenal has been linked with multiple number 10s with names including: Isco, Nabil Fekir and Jack Grealish. There is one name though that is more prevalent than the others, Houssem Aouar of Lyon FC.
His name might be recognisable by you because of how Arsenal were favourites to sign him in the previous summer window along with Thomas Partey. Unfortunately, Lyon were asking for too much and the deal fell through.
Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, Lyon has reduced their asking price for Aouar from 60m euros to 28m euros. Even though he has had a relatively poor season in Ligue 1, Aouar is a player of great quality and he is only 22 so there is definitely a lot of room for improvement.
The Frenchman has an excellent eye for key passes, well every sort of pass, and is a sure goal-scoring midfielder, something that Arsenal has not had for a while. He is also a terrific dribbler and is quite two-footed (which should please GAI!). His ball retention stats are incredible – he is dispossessed only 1.2 times per 90. He is an unpressable player, when players mark him he makes long passes or takes long shots, which find the net very often.
In my opinion, Aouar is one of the important pieces of the puzzle that Mikel Arteta and Arsenal are trying to build. Arsenal should go all out for Aouar as his addition to the squad will help us challenge for top four.
Assndir
Of the two I would go for Odegard if available as he already has Premier League experience and he has shown some quality.
We don’t want another season of adaptability do we?
Agreed
Agreed, Odegaard won’t need an adaptation period. He’ll also complement our right-footed attackers like Smith-Rowe, Willian, Willock and Nelson, instead of limiting their opportunities
@Assndir the writer, Aouar and Buendia pass/ shoot predominately with their right feet, in tight spaces, in the final third and in crucial situations. I know Aouar was Arteta’s first choice before landing Partey and discovering Smith-Rowe’s energy, but I think there must be good reasons why he doesn’t chase Aouar and Buendia anymore
I prefer another CAM type like Odegaard, Lemar, Barak or Perreira and I heard Patino has been promoted to the first team
aouar two footed na he’s not.He is like carzola but he uses his left foot a lot less than even smith.i dont know who we should sign anymore as we are linked with close to a hundred players.
Too true speedy. So much for a hit list of players to target. Arsenal seem to be linked with every man and his dog. Meanwhile real clubs like City pick their guy and seal the deal. Just read that they have signed the Brazilian Pogba. Edu, where were you? I thought he was within your sights. Holidaying in Portugal perhaps?
👍
We should be good with two midfielders. A defensive midfielders like Bissuoma or Neves. And a CAM to complement Smith To Incase of injury. Odegard will be OK Arsenal should make efforts getting him. Turkey are also known to have some good midfielders.
We can “scout” some Turkish and Italian footballers tonight 😃
Ya 😁
Agree buy Odegaard if available and I would actually play him next to Partey as deep laying playmaker like Carzola. He is young and has the ability so we can change his role.
I think we dont want also to see another cebalos here, do we???
€28 for Aoura half the price of Odegaard more affordable for skint Arsenal, give the choice I would go for EPL hardened Odegaard who showed signs of brilliance towards the end of the season
The answer to the question is: No!
Neither of the should be a priority right now. The man we need is rodrigo de Paul , he will complement partey well . And he’s the box to box midfielder we have lacked since Ramsey left.
De Paul is fantastic. He’s what Aouar is supposed to be.
Ödegaard plays different positions though.
I am from Norway. I agree with you on getting Rodrigo de Paul. But I also like to see Arsenal get Aouar if at such cut price if the case. I know the best sides of Ødegaard, but I think Aouar is a class above Ødegaard. Ødegaard loses one to one close encounters too often while Aouar not! I also like Arteta to give some of the best youngsters at the club a better chance, and young players can be primed ready much faster than most people think once they have stopped growing.!
Exactly, what we need
If arsenal owner, the board, Edu and Arteta want to make statement, they should go for Jack Grealish or someone Better. Period
I thought aour was a CM please correct me if I am wrong ? If this is the case we should go for both imho.
I hears shouts for jack grealish. That would be brilliant but doubt it will happen
Get Odegaard back.
Neither, Odergaard was so underwhelming and Aouar is a total shot in the dark. Midtable players and Midtable thinking.
Forget Aouar & his arrogance (& that of his brother/agent greed).
Let’s focus on with EPL proven experience… Martin Odegaard or Matheus Pereira is okay for me. The later will be relatively cheaper option, half-less the cost of Odegaard.
Nadiz, I’m will you. Given the lower administrative effort (ie less chance of a “stuff up”), his performances in the EPL for a poor side and lower transfer price of Matheus Pereira, I hope Arsenal go for him.
What’s the Hype with Odegaard 🤢🤢🤢
I have no idea!
ditto
If our target is really Odegard then we really deserve we are now! Overpaying for average players!
Personally,i don’t like players of north African descent(remember nasri)?,so the earlier we stay clear of Aour,the better for everyone involved with Arsenal
What is the problem with them? Can you expand on that? I know of some great players originating from there. Zidane (obviously the first name to come to mind), Mahrez, Benzema, Salah, Mbappe, El Hadj Diouf, Chamakh and others.
Not el Hadji Diouf lol, I meant to say Mustafa Hadji. Used to like him when I was a kid.
Appears to be racial/nation stereotyping? Surely we should judge a player on his individual merit and ability.
It has more to do with attitude than talent bro&diouf is from senegal in west Africa
Stereotyping much are we?
Ok,i get you on hadji instead of diouf but mbappe is of cameroonian descent
His mother is Algerian.
In Africa,where mothers are from doesn’t count,only fathers
Neither player appeals to me, nor does De Paul .Lokonga, Bissouma and Fekir, I like.They would be excellent acquisitions and completely revitalise our midfield along with Partey, ESR and Willock.That six would make for a very strong midfield which we have lacked for years.Before anyone suggests Locatelli, I have excluded him from my shopping list as he will cost too much for us but not for Man City who are apparently interested.
I’m a big fan of Fekir, too. I wouldn’t be mad at a Bellerin-Fekir swap if Betis can raise enough to pay Hector’s wages.
I feel like we’ll probably end up going for 2 CMs this window though as we’d only be left with Partey, Elneny and Willock (if he stays). Lokonga would be great. Ruben Neves seems overpriced. I’m guessing there are a few names on the list none of us are privvy to (yet).
“Auoar” sounds much easier to fit into a song or chant than “Odegaard” or “Bissouma”. Nobody has considered this benefit ; )
Can anybody explain to me, why Arsenal appear to be showing no interest in Yve Bissouma, when he has openly stated his desire to play for the Club and he would greatly strengthen the Arsenal midfield alongside Thomas Partey?
I am totally nonplussed.
Sincerely I’m as well confused on that front as you.
Leicester are showing an interest apparently…😩
Sue, the word is that Leicester may sell Wilfred Ndidi (what another player Arsenal missed) and invest the money in Yve Bissouma. Also Liverpool may be the Club Ndidi goes to. Leicester doing business to strength, same with Liverpool, meanwhile Arsenal’s big move is to sell Grant Xhaka at a loss, to get funds to reinvest. 😞
I think I need to take a rest over the whole transfer window, to lower the stress levels and the blood pressure and see how it all pans out.
I am concerned that without a major upgrade of midfield Saka, ESR, Partey and Willock will be played into the ground. Other clubs won’t stand still and Arsenal may slip further down the table, if you look at the possible business of clubs, who finished behind Arsenal.
Spot on once again, Ozzie.
We’ve all said how crucial this window is – I just hope Edu and Co see it that way way! We really can’t afford to be complacent anymore and risk being left even further behind!
According to Ornstein we’re to make a move for White!! 😳 these ‘rumours’ will give us all a heart attack!! I really should stop looking haha!
Sue, Arsenal will end up with 10 CB’s and a goal keeper the way this is going! 0-0 draws every game, if Arsenal is lucky.
🤣🤣 brilliant, Ozzie!!
I hear that MA is looking more for a ball-carrying technical pass-master who can transition quickly. Bissouma has the ball carrying but not so much the passing range and ability to burst out of tight spaces. I guess we’ll have to see what happens as the summer develops. Very little usually happens this early on in the window, especially with players focused on the Euros.
Sean, I wouldn’t hazard a guess at what Arteta wants. Yve Bissouma would allow Thomas Partey to play that role you describe.
I agree it is best to sit back and see how it unfolds; however if a player like Ruben Neves has a good tournament with a strong Portugal team, his value and number of suitors will go up.
…and likewise if we buy him now and he has a bad one, it would represent a bad investment. Two sides of the same risky coin.
Partey isn’t that man imo. He can play that role but it isn’t his specialty. Of the two, Bissouma is much more of a ball-carrier.
Don’t get me wrong, I’d be delighted with a Biss-Partey pair, but it seems Mikel’s machinations are directing his gaze elsewhere.
Sean, Bissouma/Partey would be a very flexible combination, because both are capable of dual roles; one can drive forward, while the other sits back and covers.
I see two issues with Medfield of Partey and Bissouma. First both will go to Afcon so loosing two regular midfielder will be a big blow which is not very intelligent, if we play both together that will weaken our offence as both are more defensive minded Partey being more advanturous of two but Partey is not a deep laying play maker. Bissouma looks like good player but perhaps does not fit our requirement, players should be bought on what your team requires not what other team are running after and no matter how good the player his if he does not fit in the team setup then it’s waste of resources.
Completely agree with U. Playing Bisouma and Partey is all nice and good when playing Man city and Liverpool but can be a problem when playing teams that prefer to sit back like burnley and Palace.
Zert, disagree, because both are capable of driving forward and turning defense into attack, while the other sits back and covers. We are yet to see the best of Thomas Partey in attack, because he hasn’t had an appropriate partner in midfield. He played best with Xhaka, but that combination didn’t play often enough.
I agree & I hope Arsenal pushes for him too @Ozziegunner.
Nice one @Grandad but I feel if we can get Bissouma + Matheus Pereira or Bissouma + Fekir (preferably Bissouma + Matheus Pereira considering their EPL proven & won’t need one or two season adaptation period) to add to ESR, Partey, Guendouzi & Willock will make a lot of sense in terms of quality & cost-wise.
Nadiz, your thoughts are rational, unfortunately Arteta has wiped Guendouzi and I hope he doesn’t dump Willock as well.
Actually no……….. There is a ready made, quality creative midfield controller, who would suit us pefectly……..Nabil Fekir. He would join, is good enough by far and is in our price range. He is in the top range for us. He had a question mark over injuries when he was supposed to join Liverpool but played 38 games for Real Betis last season. NO BRAINER. On his own he would bring us 3 or 4 places up the EPL table.
A player I will take in a heartbeat is Neuhaus Florian of Monchengladhach. What an excellent player he is with strong engine. Add Fekir or Pererrier to him. Neves should never been a player we are looking at if we are serious.
A player I will take in a heartbeat is Neuhaus Florian of Monchengladhach. What an excellent player he is with strong engine. Add Fekir or Pererrier to him. Neves should never been a player we are looking at if we are serious.
I wouldn’t disagree with you
We should snapped him up ages ago
Then again there are a few ayers would should have got ages ago
It seems we go there stages
Let’s buys forwards
Let’s buy more defenders
Never addressing the weak positions we need to concentrate on
Hopefully xhaka has gone now and frees up a space and money to replace with an upgrade
Midfield has been neglected since Gilberto Silva departed. Arsenal hasn’t had a top line DM since then and performances have declined accordingly.
Please Gooners, how about Tosin Adarabioyo of Fulham FC for signing this summer by Arsenal?
If Arsenal sign him they can use him as another defense-line Option and to cover in their should be Arsenal 6 CBs of: Chambers, Holding, Mari, Maglhaes, Saliba and the newly could be signed Tosin Adarabioyo.
A 6 specialists CBs unit in the Arsenal defense-line personnel for next season’s campaign wouldn’t be many for Arsenal to have them in their 1st team squad next season. But just are about the correct number of CBs that should be in the Arsenal first squad of next season’ campaign I will allude to it.
A 3 GKs, 10 DFDs, 6 MFDs. 7 WGs/STs is the right 1st team squad number of players in each department that Arsenal should have when next season campaign begun I so submit for seeing and considering by Arteta and Edu for a possible implementing it this summer.
YES!!!! Any one but Eau De Gaard
Remember Nabil Fekir was rejected by Liverpool, not so long ago, because of a knee injury.
They were concerned about Fekir’s knee’s long term impact on his career.
Reading the above, I guess we fans are as confused as our betters who are currently running down the club. It’s what you get when you limit your options and settle for El Cheapo productions. It’s like me going to a candy store as a six year old and taking an hour to get the most out of my five cent’s worth. I still remember the lady behind the counter, cigarette dangling from the side of her mouth, growling” make up your bloody mind”. I hope Arsenal can also get the most for their five cents but it doesn’t look encouraging when we are being forced into compromising for second and maybe even third choice picks.
Most important signing would be LUIS Campo. He went to Monaco, they bought players well and sold at considerable profit, won the title and Campo moved on.
He went to Lille, they bought players well and sold at a considerable profit, won the title and Campo moved on.
The smartest move Arsenal could make is to grab Luis Campo before another club does. Then again we saw what happened with Sven Mislantat!
I would prefer aouar to Odegard, some more Ancelotti already told him to stay as he is part of his plan for Madrid.
And what all this noise about Ben White, 40 million pound, a good player but do we need another CB when we have Saliba coming back.
I am puzzled.
We appear to have a fixation with CBs
and that is a lot of wonga…
He’s a right-sided CB, think Holding or Chambers are on their way out?
stop going for players who dont want to play for the club. Aouar clearly isnt that bothered…
I am not sure which player we should buy to stunt the development of smith-rowe?
Personally I would change the formation, so that we don’t play with an orthodox 10 but more like two number 8s (Willock and ESR)
Torreira, Guendozi and Azeez would be the cover
For me Aubameyang is always best coming off the left as is Martinelli, so there is your cover. Pepe or Saka for the right. Laca or Balogun down the middle.
We have the players apart from a top keeper and deputy keeper, top right back and a deputy left back. We also need to get a top manager, that for me is where we should be investing.
Leno, Runarrsson, Bellerin, Cedric, Kolasinac, Xhaka, Elneny, Willian could all be sold to raise the cash for what we need to do.