Why Thomas Lemar Could End Up As The Signing Of The Season If Arsenal Get Him
AS Monaco’s exciting winger Thomas Lemar has emerged as a top transfer target in the summer for Arsenal. The North London outfit have already had two bids rejected for the 21-year old and are expected to go back with a bigger bid in the region of £45million soon.
It has also been reported that the club have already agreed on personal terms with the Frenchman over a five-year contract worth £90,000-a-week wages.
The Gunners have been quite active in the transfer market, contrary to what has been the norm under Arsene Wenger. They seem to have identified their key targets very early and are chasing them relentlessly, rather than settling for a cheaper alternative.
The early capture of Sead Kolasinac set the tone and they have followed it up with the record signing of striker Alexandre Lacazette from Olympique Lyon. The fact that they attracted two top quality players, who were being pursued by various other clubs, despite the lack of Champions League football next season, indicates that they have a strong pull in the transfer market and are not to be taken lightly by any means.
There are several issues that still need to be sorted out though; chief among them being the contract issue of star man Alexis Sanchez. The Chilean international is in the final year of his contract and has shown no willingness to ink a new deal, with Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City lurking around the corner to snap him up.
While Wenger is reluctant to let him go, it is likely that if push comes to shove, he will be selling Sanchez before the end of the transfer window, rather than risk losing him for nothing. And in that scenario, it makes total sense that the club are pursuing the transfer of Lemar.
The diminutive winger was easily one of the best players in France last season, as his side came out trumps in Ligue1. While the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Bernardo Silva hogged all the limelight, Lemar was equally crucial for their success, if not more. The 21-year old chipped in with an excellent tally of 14 goals and 17 assists from 55 matches across all competitions, helping Leonardo Jardim’s side to the league title and a semi-final run in the UEFA Champions League.
The ease with which he can get past his man is what makes him an exciting player to watch. He is fast, possesses a lovely first touch and has great control while dribbling at speed. Someone who can stretch the defences by going out wide and also cut in from the flanks and cause troubles, he is not a one-trick pony by any means. An excellent crosser, an equally adept passer, with a keen eye to spot the runs of his teammates with great precision, it is no wonder that he got 17 assists last season.
And what more, he can play in a central attacking midfield role as well, while at the same time, he can also slot in as a left wing-back. This is definitely something that will have appealed to Wenger, following his rare and surprise tactical switch to a three-man backline.
With Kieran Gibbs likely to be sold and Nacho Monreal slowly establishing himself as a left-sided centre-half in the three-pronged defence, Kolasinac will be left as the only option to operate as the wing-back. And by bringing in Lemar, Wenger will have added a suitable cover to this position as well. With his amazing work-rate off the ball and ability to impact games in the attacking third with his expansive range of passing and eye for a goal, he will definitely be a huge hit among the Arsenal fans.
Having added Lacazette, Arsenal may have addressed their striker woes that have been bothering them since Robin van Persie’ departure. But it is Lemar who could turn out to be the real difference maker if signed before the transfer window slams shut. He can easily become the best signing of the summer.