Arsenal facing competition to sign highly-rated Lyon midfielder

Arsenal are facing compeition for the signature of long-term target Maxime Gonalons with Atletico Madrid keeping tabs on the Lyon midfielder, according to reports in France.

Gonalons has been a key figure for Lyon this season, helping the team defy the odds and climb to the top of the Ligue 1 table.

Several sides have been scouting the 25-year-old all season, impressed by his performances in front of the back four.

Arsenal are reportedly long-term admirers of the Lyon captain, while Tottenham have also been linked in the past.

But France Football are now claiming that Atletico Madrid have joined the race to sign the Frenchman.

The La Liga side are likely to be rebuffed in their approach however, with Gonalons expressing his desire to captain Lyon when they move into their new stadium for the 2015/16 season.