Arsenal eye bid for Dominik Szoboszlai as Houssem Aouar alternative to replace Mesut Ozil

Posted Saturday, October 31, 2020 by Express.co.uk

Arsenal are keeping an eye on the progress of Dominik Szoboszlai as they consider a move for the Red Bull Salzburg attacker in the next 12 months.

Arsenal eye bid for Dominik Szoboszlai as Houssem Aouar alternative to replace Mesut Ozil (Image: GETTY)

Arsenal are looking at Dominik Szoboszlai as an alternative to Houssem Aouar and a long-term successor to Mesut Ozil as the team's creative lynchpin, according to Fabrizio Romano. The Red Bull Salzburg attacker has been in sparkling form this term, returning five goals and seven assists in just 10 games.

Szoboszlai scored another sublime goal in Salzburg's Champions League loss to Atletico Madrid this week as his stock continues to rise.

The newly-turned 20-year-old has established himself as one of Europe's most exciting young midfielders after producing 12 goals and 18 assists in 40 games last term.

The Hungary international can play out wide on the left flank or the right but can also operate as a central midfielder or as an attacking midfielder given his creative talents.

And Arsenal are said to keeping tabs on Szoboszlai's progress as they seek to bolster their options offensively.

He explained: "The situation is that Arsenal [have been] following Szoboszlai [for] years.

"So, what we [can] say is that Arsenal’s scouting [department] are looking at the player. At the moment, there are no negotiations with [Salzburg].

"There are many clubs interested – he was one step away from joining AC Milan last summer.

"We will see [in] January, we will see next summer, what [Salzburg] will decide to do – because Szoboszlai wants to play in a top league.

"He’s in love with the Premier League, so let’s see what Arsenal will decide. What I’m told is that Arsenal are looking to sign this kind of player.

"They were looking [at Houssem] Aouar, they are now considering the situation of Szoboszlai.

"So, let’s see what will happen next summer or [in] January, but Arsenal are following the player.”

Having lost 1-0 to Leicester last weekend, Arsenal boss Arteta has admitted his side need to improve in the final third.

"I'm concerned in the second half that we should have done better," he said.

"We only had the chance from Hector (Bellerin) but they didn't have anything until after 75 or 80 minutes but it's still something we have to improve on.

"We have to attack better and to sustain attacks in long periods. We've been working on that so hopefully we can improve it."

Arsenal eye bid for Dominik Szoboszlai as Houssem Aouar alternative to replace Mesut Ozil (Image: GETTY)

He also said recently of Ozil's decline at the Emirates: "What I can say from my side is that it is just a football decision [not to include him in the 25-man Premier League squad]. My conscience is very calm because I have been really fair with him.

"My level of communication with him has been really high and we know what to expect with each other.

"Obviously a player of that dimension, with the career he has had, everything that happens around him has a big impact.

"It has been the case for the last eight years, it is nothing new that is just happening now. A lot of things have happened over these eight years.

"My job is to get the best out of every player, to contribute to the team performance. Here I feel at the moment, today, that I have failed.

"I want the best possible Mesut for the team. And in some moments I was able to get close to that, and at the moment I have not been able to do it because I have to make the decision to leave him out of the squad."