Arsene Wenger is a lucky man to have kept his job at the helm of the Emirates after failing to take his side to the Champions League for the first time in his 20-year stint in London. However, that has not dampened the spirit at the club as they are already looking to improve on their squad, to give them a better chance at qualification next season.
This has seen Arsenal linked with some of the finest talents in world football and the latest name doing the rounds at the Emirates is AS Monaco star, Thomas Lemar. The 21-year old was one of the many youngsters at the Stade Louis II that had a mind-blowing season in France. He helped the French outfit to their first league title in more than 15 years and also took them to the UCL semi-final where they lost to Juventus.
Lemar was a crucial part of this run, as he managed 34 league appearances, scoring nine goals and picking up 11 assists all season. He has 14 goals and 17 assists for club and country all season and at just 21, is a star for the future.
The French outfit are adamant to keep him at the club for at least another year but like other stars, Monaco might have to give into the player’s request if he wants a move. So what will Lemar add to the squad at the Emirates?
Capable of playing on the right wing as well, Lemar is more comfortable on the left flank, where he loves to take on his man on the flank and deliver pinpoint crosses for his strikers. He is an excellent finisher and scores long range goals for fun and can be a genuine world class addition for Arsenal.
His key pass ratio is astounding and his pace and dribbling skills only make him harder to mark. He is also strong and has mastered the art of hold up play and though is a liability in the air, is a superb fit for the English style of play.
Arsenal may yet lose Alexis Sanchez and if that is the case, Lemar suddenly becomes a necessity. But at the moment, if Wenger decides to stick with a 3-4-3 formation, the French star will hardly have any chance to start regularly at the Emirates and might not be tempted to make the move.
Arsenal are not in the UCL next season and will need quality to get there in a year’s time. Lemar certainly has that quality but it is hard to see him leave Monaco and join the English outfit unless a first team player at the Emirates is sold.
