Houssem Aouar would be 'special' for Arsenal

The Gunners' sporting director Edu told a fans' forum in December that it was "clear" Mikel Arteta's side needed "creativity in the middle".

Arsenal came close to signing Lyon's Houssem Aouar during the summer transfer window but their failure to complete a deal for the Frenchman, along with Mesut Ozil's exile, has left Arteta short of options in the central attacking midfield spot.

Speaking on the latest Transfer Talk podcast with Sky Sports News' Pete Graves and Dharmesh Sheth, ESPN football expert Julien Laurens said he believed Aouar would "bring something special" to Arsenal.

"Arsenal tried for Houssem Aouar in the summer - they made one offer; they could have gone back but instead they went for Thomas Partey," Laurens said.