So Foot are today running a piece in which they talk about Arsenal’s longheld interest in Adrien Rabiot, a player they accuse Arsenal of ‘flirting’ with.

They make the accusations not without base.

Arsenal and Rabiot have been linked during a number of transfer windows when it looked like the 21-year-old would leave Paris in search of regular playing time.

But it seems his decision to stay with PSG is paying off. He has 11 league appearances this season as well as three in the Champions League, averaging just over 67 minutes per game.

His mum, Veronica, however, is ready to see her son move to the Premier League should that not continue. In the summer of 2014 she said, “Adrien loves PSG, he is attached to PSG, it is his club at heart and he would like to pursue a career [here].

“But this is not possible. It would take a full 35 games per season to continue his progression. Adrien does not have the next season. Since he cannot make his way, it’s best to leave. If he cannot play for PSG, then his choice is the Premier League. Adrien likes this style of play.”

It was on the back of this statement that L’Equipe believe that Arsenal started making their move. That didn’t matter, however, as the player soon put his name on a new contract until 2019 with the Parisians.

One might even wonder if that had been their plan all along.

Rabiot will not feature against Arsenal after picking up a muscle injury at the weekend.