Houssem Aouar reflects on failed Arsenal move in the summer transfer window

Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar has reflected on the summer transfer window in which his prospective move to Arsenal failed to materialise.

Arsenal's hopes of signing Aouar dissolved with days left of the transfer window, with Fabrizio Romano reporting they had no interest in meeting Lyon's £55 million valuation this summer.

OL board have stopped negotiations with Arsenal for Houssem Aouar.#AFC made clear they won’t pay €50m + add ons [€60m total] asked by Aulas and OL told to Arsenal that the deal is over.No Juventus, PSG or Real Madrid on last 2 days. Arsenal was the only chance. ⛔️ #Aouar

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 3, 2020

The Gunners went on to secure the signing of Atletico Madrid midfielder Thomas Partey on deadline day after triggering the £45 million release clause in his contract.

Whether Arsenal will reignite their interest in the talented 22-year-old at a later time remains to be seen. It must be noted, though, that Aouar was certainly interested in a move to the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal completed the signing of Atletico Madrid midfielder Thomas Partey on deadline day.

Houssem Aouar the "opposite" of disappointed after failed Arsenal switch

If Aouar is in fact frustrated that his Lyon departure wasn't completed this year, he's doing a great job of hiding it.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, the France international was quoted explaining that he's not disappointed at the outcome of the saga. Instead, he made it clear he is at the club that he loves:

“Of course I asked myself all the necessary questions. I am in the headspace to have a great season with my club and get back the points that we have lost. So of course we are going to try to do the best season and to try to put the team and the club back in its rightful place, at the top of France. Disappointed? I am the opposite. I am at home, in the club that I love, with my friends and my family.

"So certainly I have all my bearings and it is giving me even more motivation to have a good season and to bring the club back into the top places in France. There is a lot of motivation, we have a quality group, with a very good team, notably in attack with certain arrivals. We have satisfied with this team but now we are going to have to show it on the pitch a bit more than we have done at the beginning of this season.”

We meet again in January, @HoussemAouar pic.twitter.com/rOnAHBkk8G

— Renato (@rehnato) October 5, 2020

Arsenal captured a top-class midfield star in Partey despite the frustration of missing out on Aouar this time around. A deal was seemingly doable as Lyon aren't in European competition this term.

If Mikel Arteta can snatch him from last season's Champions League semi-finalists in the near future though, Arsenal would be sending a serious statement out to their rivals.