Arsenal missing out on the signing of Houssem Aouar is a "big shame", according to former striker Alan Smith.
It would appear that the Gunners' hopes of landing the Frenchman have faded following developments over the past 24 hours and leading up to transfer deadline day.
Last weekend the 22-year-old was the subject of a bid from the north London outfit which was rejected, but talks had been ongoing between the two clubs.
There was an expectation that Arsenal would return with an improved offer to get a deal over the line, but according to RMC Sport, Aouar emerged from a meeting with the Lyon hierarchy on Saturday and announced to his teammates that he would be staying put.
As a result, the Gunners have reportedly turned their attentions elsewhere and ESPN journalist Julien Laurens claims they will now try and make a move for Chelsea midfielder Jorginho.
However, Smith is of the opinion that not signing Aouar highlights a massive issue in Mikel Arteta's squad.
"They've been linked with for a long time, Houssem Aouar from Lyon and it sounds like that transfer is dead, which would be a big shame because he's that kind of creative player that Ozil was for a few years, what Santi Cazorla was," Smith said on Sky Sports.
"Somebody that can find the early pass, and when you've got Aubameyang, Willian, Lacazette, whoever, just ahead - I think that’s what they're missing at the moment.
"They have some good, solid midfield players, but they haven't got anyone with the vision that perhaps Aouar would provide."
Whilst Aouar may not arrive at the Emirates before the transfer window closes, the Gunners are still being linked with a move for Atletico Madrid midfielder Thomas Partey.
In fact, some supporters are convinced the Ghana international has already made his final appearance for the La Liga outfit.
But there's talk that they could be pipped to a deal by their London rivals Chelsea.
According to the Guardian, Partey is on the Blues' shortlist ahead of deadline day.
The report states that the west London outfit could look at alternatives to West Ham United's Declan Rice as they try to land a defensive midfielder before the transfer window closes.
