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Houssem Aouar claimed that he has turned down the opportunity to join Arsenal because they want to play a key role in Lyon’s resurgence.
Aouar was Mikel Arteta’s top target for the summer transfer window, while Arsenal had multiple offers rejected by the 22-year-old.
Lyon had held firm on his € 60 million (£ 55.5 million) asking price for the midfielder and the Gunners have failed to live up to the French club’s valuation.
And now it looks like Arsenal will miss a deal, as Aouar confirmed his desire to stay after Lyon’s 1-1 draw with Marseille on Sunday night.
“I felt that I can still contribute something to this team,” Aouar told Telefoot.
‘I wanted to continue the adventure with the club that raised me.
“We must lift our heads because we have to do better.”
But despite the setback, Arteta insists Arsenal are working to secure new signings before Monday’s deadline.
“What I can guarantee is that we are doing everything possible to make that happen. Whether we will make it or not I don’t know, ” Arteta said after Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Sheffield United on Sunday.
Believe me, believe me, the ownership, the board, Edu and I are doing everything possible to maximize the resources we have to improve the team and sustain and retain the players that are in this club for this club to be successful.
‘I have 100% backing from them. And it is not just words, it is reality. Who knows me, if it were not like that I would not say that. But I say it because I feel it and it’s true.
“Anything that we can do, whether it be ourselves or the owners, they are willing to do it to support us, to support us, because I think they believe in what we are trying to do.”
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