Arsenal: Riyad Mahrez far better option than Arda Turan

Arsenal are inching closer to a winger, and while Thomas Lemar takes the cake, let’s explore the second best option, and it isn’t Arda Turan.

Arsenal’s options from wide positions are incredibly limited. It’s Theo Walcott or Alex Iwobi. Everyone else has found a better position and/or deserves a better position. And Iwobi is going to be far better as a central attacker and Walcott, well, we will see what happens with him.

As such, finding a solution is pretty important, and while I would take Thomas Lemar vs the field at this point, there always has to be a back up option or two. But in terms of ranking which of the two is the better secondary options, it should be obvious.

The two choices are Riyad Mahrez and Arda Turan. Both have been pretty heavily linked, but there would be very little to gain out of nabbing both, so let’s talk choosing one.

It’s no contest. The Algerian over the Turk.

Mahrez just has all the better reasons for investment. He is younger. He has English experience. Not just that, but Premier League title experience. He is younger. He is going to be far more motivated with far more to prove. And lastly, he has never scoffed at the idea of a move to North London. He turned it down (reportedly) in order to stay at Leicester, but Turan straight up called Arsenal nothing better than plan B.

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And I’m sorry, that just doesn’t fly.

Plus, when you look at who has done more lately, even with Mahrez’s poor follow-up campaign, it is him, not Turan. Turan has struggled at Barcelona. He hasn’t been able to find himself into regular first team action. And while I’m sure he is antsy to get back out on the pitch consistently, he isn’t going to find that at the Emirates, barring any exits.

Mahrez has growth potential, he has a better resume, it’s just all there. I’m not even that convinced that Mahrez is a good option, but seeing as how there are only three wingers tied to North London (Lemar, Mahrez, Turan), you have to be choosy.

It has to be stated though, that he is a far distant second place to Lemar. Which is a hint as to how little I think of the idea of Turan coming to Arsenal.

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It’s positive that we are exploring options though. While the 3-4-3 doesn’t utilize a true wide option, and could therefore erase the need for one, the fact that we are pursuing one shows that Wenger is aware that just because he found a solution in the new formation doesn’t mean it is going to stick forever.

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