Arsenal fans could soon get their wish to see French midfielder Houssem Aouar join the club in the transfer window.According to the reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano, the Gunners are in talks with Lyon over a deal for the 22-year-old.Aouar is reportedly keen to sign for the north London outfit and personal terms aren’t an issue, but the two clubs are yet to agree a fee.Romano claims Lyon have set Aouar’s price tag at €60 million, although the Daily Mail claim that they are ready to lower their asking price during the coronavirus pandemic.
It’s not hard to understand why Arsenal are keen to sign Aouar, who shone in Lyon’s run to the Champions League semi-final last season.
He scored nine goals and provided 10 assists in all competitions last year and recently received his first call-up to the French national squad.
Five ways Arsenal could line up with Aouar
With Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang committing his future to the club and Willian, Gabriel and William Saliba on board, there’s a belief that Mikel Arteta’s squad will be better equipped to compete for a top four spot in the Premier League this season.
Aouar’s arrival would further boost their chances of that.
So with a deal potentially happening, we’ve decided to take a look at five different ways the Gunners could line up with Aouar in the mix.
4-3-3 with Aouar in a midfield three
Aouar played predominantly as a central midfielder with Lyon last season, but he looked dangerous when attacking from the left.
Arteta wants to use a 4-3-3 formation this season and next to Granit Xhaka and Dani Ceballos in midfield, Aouar would relish being given the opportunity to get forward from a left-sided midfield position.
4-2-1-3 with Aouar behind the attack
Arteta could push Aouar ahead of Xhaka and Ceballos to get the most out of his attacking skills.
5-2-3 with Aouar in central midfield
This is an attacking formation that sees Hector Bellerin and Kieran Tierney deployed as wing-backs.
We can’t, however, imagine Arteta will steer too far from his favoured system.
4-2-3-1 with Aouar as No.10
Aouar could play as a central attacking midfielder with Aubameyang on his left and Willian (or Nicolas Pepe) on his right.
Alexandre Lacazette would relish the service that his compatriot would provide playing just behind him.
4-3-3 with Aouar and Thomas Partey in midfield
Yes, this assumes that Arsenal are able to pull off a miraculous move for Atletico Madrid’s Thomas Partey.
Arsenal fans can dream…
