Thomas Lemar 'very happy' at Monaco despite Arsenal's late move

Thomas Lemar 
Thomas Lemar scored twice in France's 4-0 win over Holland in World Cup qualifying Credit: Reuters

Prized midfielder Thomas Lemar insisted he was content to stay at Monaco after scoring twice in France's resounding 4-0 win over Holland in World Cup qualifying. 

Monaco agreed a deal in principle with Arsenal for Lemar to replace Alexis Sanchez at the Emirates, but the deal fell through with little time to thrash out personal terms. 

The Liverpool and Arsenal transfer target demonstrated his abundant quality in Paris, with his first goal the highlight of the evening -  a viscous left-footed volley from the edge of the area. 

"I am a player of Monaco, I am very happy there,"Lemar told Canal + on international duty. 

"Now I'm going to make a good season with my club, to try to progress and move forward in my career with Monaco.

"I prepared for this game as usual. I do not lose my head, even if there are rumours. I was focused on my game, that's all that mattered to me."

Arsenal's interest in Lemar dates back to early in the window when Monaco rejected a £45 million, and their deadline day offer was reportedly double that. 

With Sanchez pushing for a move to City, Arsenal were looking to replace him with two new players: Alexandre Lacazette to replace his goals, and Lemar to replace his creativity. 

Liverpool were also on the case when it seemed Philippe Coutinho was on his way to Barcelona. According to reports in France on Friday, Lemar has his heart set on the Anfield club due to the attraction of Champions League football. 

Laurent Koscielny 
The loss of Laurent Koscielny for any length of time would be a blow for Arsenal Credit: Getty Images

A trying few weeks for Arsenal and Wenger, who was in Paris working at the game for French television, may get bleaker still after Laurent Koscielny got a kick on his troublesome achilles. 

Arsenal's senior centre back has daily treatment to manage chronic tendonitis, but crumpled in severe pain following a challenge by Arjen Robben. 

The north Londoners reached the end of the window approximately £30 million in the black. That after their lowest Premier League finish in Wenger's tenure. 

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