Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal have been pretty quiet in the transfer market so far after securing the signing of Granit Xhaka before even the transfer window opened. So far the club has managed to sign two more players in Takuma Asano, a 21-year old striker from Japan and Rob Holding, a 20-year old defender from the League One club Bolton Wanderers. While these two players do have potential and talent they are clearly brought into the team as a part of the long term process as ones for the future. Arsenal as it was clear again last season, do need someone who can step up to the first team and perform consistently and help the team in their bid to capture the title next season.
The club has been looking at a number of names over the summer and has already confirmed that they remain in the market and are inclined to bring in more players preferably one striker and another on any position and are not afraid to splash the cash for the right player. After Wolfsburg made it clear that Julian Draxler would not be moving in the summer, the Gunners have now turned their attention to Riyad Mahrez.
The fleet footed Algerian has been one of the stand out performers of the Premier League last season and at the end of the season helped Leicester achieve the ‘Impossible Dream’ by winning their first ever Premier League title by a margin of 10 points from their nearest rivals Arsenal. The winger was also adjudged the PFA player of the season for 2015/16. Mahrez, a product of the famed Le Havre academy, the same academy which produced Paul Pogba, is a wonderful talent and with his 16 goals and 10 assists in 30 games for The Foxes has simply exploded this year. The reigning Algerian player of the year has got the trickery which allows him to get past his man with ease and bamboozles opponents frequently with his array of skills. The sweet left foot of his is capable of producing some magical finishes as well.
Arsenal’s right wing has been a problem for much of the last couple of years. With the inconsistencies and frequent injuries of Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Wenger at times had to deploy Aaron Ramsey on the wings when he was clearly not comfortable there or could contribute to the level he could have from other positions on the pitch.
Signing Mahrez would not only signal intent but would also help Arsenal solve the problems associated with the right wing. The problem would be whether the team would have enough defensive cover once the Algerian cuts inside and Bellerin is caught high up the pitch trying to do an overlapping run. Hopefully the signing of Xhaka can solve that problem as the Swiss international has got very good defensive discipline and is excellent in holding his position.
Arsenal are in need of some quality players who can help the team in the attacking positions and help the team build up attacks using multiple lines and not just rely on Mesut Ozil. Riyad Mahrez thus would be an excellent addition to the squad as with his obvious talents he can assist the team in its attacks and score some goals as well. Also playing for a fluid and attacking minded outfit as Arsenal under Arsene Wenger would also help the 25-year old express himself further and develop even more in the coming years.
