Mahrez signing wouldn’t necessarily signal Ozil and Sanchez departures at Arsenal
365
views
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has admitted that Riyad Mahrez could join the club from Leicester City this summer and those comments have inevitably sparked further speculation about the futures of Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez.
Both Ozil and Sanchez have just over a year remaining on their current contracts at Arsenal and have yet to commit to new deals.
At first glance, the arrival of a new creative player such as Mahrez could be seen as suggesting that at least one of Ozil and Sanchez will leave. However, there is a way that the trio could co-exist in the same team.
loading...
If Arsenal persists with the 3-4-2-1 formation that served them so well in the closing stages of the season, Mahrez could operate alongside Ozil in the two positions behind the main striker, with Sanchez leading the line.
Sanchez demonstrated this campaign that he is capable of making a major impact when deployed up front and the Chilean would surely relish being supplied passes by Mahrez and Ozil, two players who are capable of unlocking opposing defences with regularity.
Speculation linking Mahrez with Arsenal is nothing new. The Algeria international was tipped for a move to the Gunners two years ago but ended up staying at Leicester and played a prominent part in the club’s remarkable title triumph.
Mahrez was again reportedly on Arsenal’s radar last summer but again remained with the Foxes, although his performance levels were significantly worse this time around, as was the case with many of his team-mates.
This time around, though, a transfer could happen, with Mahrez having already expressed his desire to leave Leicester.
At the age of 26, Mahrez is approaching his peak and would represent an impressive signing by Arsenal. His arrival also wouldn’t necessarily signal the departures of Ozil and Sanchez.
Loading...