Houssem Aouar plays down Arsenal transfer talk

Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar has talked down the prospect of moving to Arsenal following months of speculation.

The Gunners were keen to strike a deal for the one-cap France international in the summer of 2020 before reigniting their interest in the most recent transfer window.

However, Arsenal ultimately ended up re-signing Martin Odegaard on a permanent basis from Real Madrid, and Aouar has now poured cold water over links with a move away from Lyon.

Speaking to Amazon Prime, Aouar said: "As someone who's from Lyon, to be able to play in the Champions League in this stadium is something I'd like to be able to do again – all of that is down to qualifying this season.

"Then I'd like to win a trophy, because that's what's missing the most for me at this club. I'm fully concentrated on Lyon. Playing in the Champions League again with my hometown club is an objective and a dream of mine."

Aouar has played every minute of Lyon's 2021-22 Ligue 1 season so far and claimed one assist in Sunday's 3-1 success over Strasbourg.