Arsenal: Riyad Mahrez Would Create Tantalizing Strike Force

Rumors are building of a sensational swoop for Riyad Mahrez. If such a move was completed, it would create a truly tantalizing Arsenal strike-force.

The greatest teams in Premier League history all boast one common theme: outstanding strike-forces.

The Manchester United team of the late ‘90s early ‘90s was as good as any, possessing goal scorers in Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke, behind a midfield boasting the talents of Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and David Beckham. The Arsenal invincible team arguably had the best two strikers in Europe at that point in Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp while Sir Alex Ferguson again created a side for the ages with the free flowing movement of Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs (again) and Cristiano Ronaldo.

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This common theme displays one crucial school of thought: scoring goals is vital if you have any aspirations of winning the league. While it has been done through a defensive outlook, having players who can create and score vast amounts of goals is indispensable. Arsenal have the opportunity to build one of the very front lines with one signing this summer.

In Arsenal’s 4-2-3-1 system side can be split into five defensive minded players, four offensive players and a pivot-like position. Of those four attack-minded players two will always be, when fit at least, Mesit Ozil and Alexis Sanchez. The central striker will likely be Olivier Giroud – though I would still argue for Walcott to be that man – and that leaves one more hole, likely on the right hand side of the five-man midfield.

If the Gunners were able to bring in PFA Player of the Year and title winning Riyad Mahrez, then they could truly boast of having some of the best firepower in England. While it would not solve their defensive frailties, something that must be addressed over the next five weeks, it would bring a creativity and a flair that few could match.

It is reported that Mahrez has his heart set on joining Arsenal. Whether that is true remains to be seen, however, the recent departure of N’Golo Kante, there does seem to be an element of weakness in the transfer defense of the surprise champions. Mahrez is definitetly available If Arsenal are prepared to spend.

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It will likely cost the best part of £40-50 million, however, Arsenal were not as free-flowing in their goal scoring exploits last season, and bringing in a pacey, tricky winger to play opposite of Sanchez and alongside the genius that is Ozil could open up a potent offense. Mahrez could well fire the Gunners to the title, and it is difficult to put a price on that. It is a tantalizing prospect that is certainly difficult to turn down, at any price.

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