Arsenal decided against signing Yves Bissouma in the summer, opting for two new midfield additions in Albert Sambi Lokonga and Martin Odegaard instead, but they may come to regret the decision after he admitted he is now a much more matured person and player.
The Gunners have been interested in the Brighton star in the past, but there was no concrete suggestion that they were ever planning a summer swoop for him.
After Arsenal extended Granit Xhaka’s contract at the Emirates Stadium – a player who looked destined to leave for AS Roma early on in the most recent transfer window – Edu and Mikel Arteta were satisfied that they didn't need Bissouma.
The 24-year-old, who has been at the AmEx Stadium since the summer of 2018 after signing from Lille for around £15million, continues to impress for the Seagulls.
He has now amassed 100 Brighton appearances in just over three seasons with the club, and says he thinks he has grown a lot on and off the pitch during that time.
"I am very proud and happy. It’s been a long time of working hard. It’s down to everyone at the club," he told The Argus.
"I want to say thanks to those people and to the club, it’s amazing to be a part of the best league in the world.
"When I came here I was 21 and now I am 25, so I have matured as a person and in my game. I learned a lot of things in those early years."
Clubs will undoubtedly go back in for Bissouma in the future, especially as he has now established himself as a well-known Premier League name.
Whether Arsenal are still interested remains to be seen, but some will argue that they could benefit from a player like him in their squad.
