David Ginola told Deadline Day on Sky Sports (05/10/20 at 8:35 am) that he is ‘pretty sure’ Arsenal have a player from within their academy who is ‘the same’ if not better than Houssem Aouar.
One of the talking points from deadline day was Arsenal signing Thomas Partey from Atletico Madrid, but also Aouar deciding to stay at Lyon after interest from the North London club.
Heading into Monday, Arsenal fans knew the Aouar deal wasn’t going to happen because he made it clear that he wanted to stay at Lyon and with the club that ‘raised me’, as reported by the Mirror.
Whilst Arsenal didn’t sign Aouar, it wouldn’t be a surprise if they go back in for him at a later date, but former Tottenham playmaker Ginola thinks they will already have that type of talent on their doorstep.
“When it comes to someone like Aouar coming from Lyon with a very, very expensive price-tag,” Ginola told Sky Sports. “Don’t you think it would be more relevant to watch the grassroots or the academy?
“To find someone, and I am pretty sure there is someone sitting there in the academy of Arsenal, who will be capable of doing, if not the same, even more than Aouar because he will be brought up by Arsenal. He will be so pleased to wear the shirt. He will give more than 100%.
“Sometimes it’s better than spending £40 or £50 million on the player and you not sure at all if he’s going to be successful at all.”
Arsenal’s record transfer deals
- Nicolas Pepe
£72 million
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
£56 million
- Alexandre Lacazette
£52 million
- Thomas Partey
45 million
- Mesut Ozil
£42 million
Going into the final few hours of deadline day, Arsenal supporters were ready to unleash their anger towards the board because they hadn’t really backed Mikel Arteta during the summer market.
But the near last-minute arrival of Partey has changed the mood in one part of North London because the jigsaw that is being built by Arteta now is looking pretty exciting.
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