Arsenal’s key failure laid bare amid Houssem Aouar Tottenham transfer blow


Arsenal’s failure to achieve European football last season could apparently come back to bite them as they vie with Tottenham Hotspur for the signature of Houssem Aouar.

Both north London rivals have been linked with the Lyon midfielder in recent days, the Gunners reigniting their long-standing interest, whilst Spurs are a new name in the race for his signature.

football.london understands that Mikel Arteta is keen on a creative midfielder very much in the mould of the Frenchman in the transfer window, whilst Nuno Espirito Santo needs recruits to build on a disappointing 2020/21 campaign.

If reports are to be believed however, it is Spurs who are favourites to sign the 23-year-old.


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As per Le10 Sport, they have been beaten to the punch by the Gunners in tabling the first offer – reportedly less than €20m (£17m) and far less than the €25m (£21.3m) that Lyon are currently asking for.

However, it is suggested that Spurs simply “have more resources” and the “ability to offer more”. Should Fabio Paratici make a move for Aouar, it is speculated that Spurs could jump ahead of their London rivals.

This certainly lays bare Arsenal’s failure in not earning European football last season and shows a certain prestige associated despite the fact that Spurs are embarking on the inaugural Europa Conference League campaign.

So, whilst Spurs will be playing European football, thus earning the revenue attached to that, Arsenal are set to be without any continental competition for the first time since 1995.

Even current Gunners stopper Bernd Leno has admitted that the club simply do not have the same draw without any form of European football.

Talking in April, he said: “When you think about the future without Arsenal in a European competition, it doesn’t feel right.

“Our job is to make sure that doesn’t come true. Arsenal belongs to Europe and that’s our target and our job.”

Whether that indeed has been a determining factor in Spurs having the ability to offer more to Aouar remains to be seen but the Gunners must determine this does not happen again or they risk missing out on even more transfer targets to their nearest rivals.

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