Report: 22-year-old Arsenal target wants to leave, Arteta wants to build whole team around him

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It looks like Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has very big plans for Houssem Aouar, if he can get the Frenchman.

The Lyon midfielder has been heavily linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium in recent weeks.

Juninho, the Ligue 1 club’s sporting director, confirmed this week to RMC Sport that he has spoken to Arsenal equivalent Edu about the 22-year-old going to North London.

But ESPN have reported that the Gunners could struggle to finance a move for the £46 million-rated starlet.

However, the report also adds that Arteta views Aouar as a ‘pillar’ of the 4-3-3 system that he wants to adopt going forward and plans to build Arsenal’s team around him.

ESPN claim that the player himself wants to leave France and that Arteta’s side remain the only club to show a ‘strong interest’ in signing him, amid speculation that Manchester City are also in the race.

If this is true, the Spanish coach clearly has exciting things in mind for Aouar and he must be desperate to make a move happen.

The North Londoners kicked off their Premier League campaign with a 3-0 demolition of Fulham on Saturday afternoon.

Interestingly, Mo Elneny, who plays in a similar position as Aouar, continues to shine against all odds after returning from a loan with Besiktas last season.

The Egypt international looked totally finished at the Emirates this time last year, but Arteta is clearly a fan and it’ll be interesting to see how a potential move for Aouar affects his future.