Arsenal target Aouar may have played final game for Lyon amid transfer links

Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar may have played his last game for the club after he was sent off for a late tackle in their 2-1 defeat to Montpellier on Tuesday.

The French star enjoyed an impressive campaign for Lyon last season, leading to interest from Arsenal, Manchester City and Juventus.

Lyon have set a £50million price tag on Aouar to put off his suitors but the Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is a big admirer of the player and sporting director Edu has proposed a swap deal including Matteo Guendouzi.

That offer was quickly rejected by Lyon but Arsenal are expected to make a renewed attempt to sign Aouar before the transfer window closes.

On Tuesday, Aouar was in action for Lyon in Ligue 1 but his night came to an abrupt end when he was shown a red card for catching Montpellier defender Arnaud Souquet on his shin.

He now faces a three-game ban and with Lyon willing to sell him, he could have appeared for the club for the last time.

Meanwhile, Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang believes the time has arrived for people to start showing them respect after signing a new three-year deal with the club.

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New signings Willian and Gabriel Magalhaes both hit the ground running against Fulham but Mikel Arteta is still on the lookout for new signings.

Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar and Brentford keeper David Raya are two of the names on their radar.

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Arsenal made an impressive start to the season on Saturday when they beat Fulham 3-0 at Craven Cottage.

At this very early stage in the season, the Gunners are top of the table and confidence is growing that Arteta and Aubameyang can lead the team to a successful campaign.

And speaking in a chat with Highbury legend Ian Wright, Aubameyang was adamant Arsenal are on the right path.

“Look at the guys that came in [this summer],” he said. “I think we can do something very big.

“And also the young players as well, they are coming like fire and this is why I stay. Because I know we have something to do.

“I said a few months ago that the best is to come for sure, for Arsenal. It’s time for everyone to respect our club.”

“Signing for this special club was never in doubt.

“It’s thanks to our fans, my team-mates, my family and everybody at this club that I feel like I belong here. I believe in Arsenal.

“We can achieve big things together. We have something exciting here and I believe the best is to come for Arsenal.”