Arsenal legend Ian Wright says it is vital for the Gunners to sign Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar if they are to compete with teams like Liverpool.

Mikel Arteta’s side struggled to get hold of the ball as the Reds came out 3-1 winners at Anfield last night and Wright believes they need more technical players in the middle of the park to go head to head with the Premier League champions in future:

“[They need] someone who they can pass the ball to, who is comfortable to receive it with someone on his back, who can pop it off, who can turn it around the corner. From there Arsenal can play but we can’t do that at the moment.”

“That’s why it’s imperative we get Aouar from Lyon. He’s someone that can get on the ball and get the forwards going. You saw the chances that Ceballos made when he came on, that’s what Arsenal need.”

It appears Arsenal’s priority will be to try and sign Aouar before the transfer deadline, but Lyon’s president Jean-Michel Aulas is playing hardball in negotiations. He has confirmed that the Gunners have made an offer for the midfielder but it fell well short of the player’s asking price.

Aulas is believed to be demanding close to €50m (£45m) for Aouar, and it remains to be seen whether Arsenal can find the funds to finance a move for the 22-year-old.