Now that the winger has returned from injury, Arsenal are still interested in signing Thomas Lemar in January, according to reports in France.

RMC Sport report that the Gunners are ‘motivated’ and plan to return for Thomas in the winter window, despite the high cost and failure to complete a deal back in August.

Lemar, 22, spent the last few weeks on the sidelines with a shoulder injury, but returned to the starting line-up against Troyes on Saturday.

Monaco won the match 3-2, although the Frenchman wasn’t involved in any of the goals.

The creative side of his game was still on show, however, with three chances created and 12 crosses.

With a goal and assist in his two previous starts, Lemar continues to show why Arsenal were interested in the first place.

If Arsène was willing to pay such a high price in the summer, when there were reports of a £92m bid, then he clearly rates the youngster.

Of course, that bid was funded by Alexis Sanchez’s impending departure to Manchester City, which may not happen in January.

If Alexis leaves for less than £60m in the winter window, or runs down his contract to leave for free in the summer, Arsenal will obviously have less money to work with in any Lemar negotiations.