Gunners boss Arsene Wenger believes there is a strong possibility Thomas Lemar will be an Arsenal player in the near future – despite failing in a €100m bid for the Monaco midfield ace on transfer deadline day.

While Wenger and Arsenal have come under heavy criticism from fans, former players and pundits in the wake up of their 4-0 Premier League thrashing at the hands of Liverpool and failure to strengthen significantly before August 31, the long-term north London boss seemed in good spirits during his appearance on French television.

The 67-year-old Frenchman was a headline guest on show Telefoot on Saturday – and confirmed Arsenal hadn’t given up hope of signing Lemar.

“Yes, we bid €100m for Lemar. Yes, we’ll come back in for him,” Wenger said.

That will come as welcome news for Arsenal fans, many of whom have been disgruntled with the club’s transfer activity that saw the incomings of only Sead Kolasinac and Alexandre Lacazette – and plenty of rumours about big-name exits.

For Lemar, it’s been business as usual on the pitch as he scored a brace in France’s 4-0 World Cup qualifying rout over Holland on Thursday.