Ian Wright encourages Arsenal to sign key target Houssem Aouar for next improvement under Mikel Arteta

The Gunners have made strides under their new boss but remain a way off challenging at the top

Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar is a transfer target for Arsenal (Reuters)

Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright says he hopes his old club return to try and sign Houssem Aouar after a failed summer move.

The Gunners ultimately missed out on the Lyon playmaker as they opted to use their limited funds on Thomas Partey, who has made a good start to life at the Emirates Stadium.

Not selling other squad members, however, left Arsenal with too many individuals to be registered for league and European action, and not enough funds to spend elsewhere.

Aouar, for his part, has said he was happy to not have moved to the Emirates and is keen to help Lyon progress significantly this season – but Wright feels Mikel Arteta is making such big steps with the team that a player of the France international’s calibre is a must-sign, to keep the momentum going.

“I think the mentality has changed, the culture in what [Arteta’s] doing has changed, the intensity and the way he wants to play,” Wright told Premier League Productions.

"It's all changed, it's a new Arsenal in what they're trying to do going forward.

“If he can continue to improve, like players improve with his coaching, and then he's then able to add to that with Aouar, who they're trying to get in the midfield alongside Partey, then you've got someone who can create for the forwards.”

Aouar made his senior international debut during the October break, having previously withdrawn from the September squad after testing positive for coronavirus.

The 22-year-old has also been linked with Juventus and has three years left on his deal.

He has two goals and one assist this season, with Lyon sitting sixth in Ligue 1.