Arsenal should answer Riyad Mahrez ‘come get me’ plea

Riyad Mahrez has issued a ‘come get me’ plea to Arsenal and Arsene Wenger. They would be wise to make their move and answer it emphatically.

Riyad Mahrez wants to leave Leicester City. There were rampant rumours linking him with an exit last summer, with Arsenal one of the touted destinations, but with their miraculous Premier League title resulting in a Champions League place, the dazzling winger was convinced to stay at the King Power and test himself in Europe.

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However, it was not the season that Mahrez, or Leicester, would have hoped for. Claudio Ranieri was sacked amid a relegation battle, the feeling around the club was dire and down-heartening and Mahrez was unable to replicate the same as his PFA player of the year campaign of the previous season.

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But this summer, he publicly revealed, in a rather long-winded statement that covered many different bases, that he has had discussions with the Leicester owners regarding a possible departure. In the aftermath of the statement, rumours were rife linking Arsenal with a move, with the fires only stoked by Arsene Wenger’s comments stating that he a bid had not yet been made but that he was a big fan of the player.

As such, Mahrez has always been considered as a likely target for the Gunners. And now, Mahrez himself has taken the initiative to try and force through a move. It was thought that he was holding out for Barcelona to come calling, but after seeing such a possibility seemingly dead in the water, he has challenged Arsenal to make their move by highlighting the difference between an offer and speculation:

"“It’s an honour to receive compliments like this from such a big manager in world football. But there’s a big difference between an offer and speculation, so there is nothing on the table at the moment. for me, it would be the right time to leave. The club and I are on the same page regarding my future so we’ll see.”"

This is a classic ‘come get me’ plea that many footballers have issued in the past when they are pining after a particular transfer. Arsenal would be wise to answer it emphatically. Mahrez is a player of great ability, at the peak of his prime, and with great experience of the Premier League.  Mahrez would offer the Gunners a direct, pacy wide man who is willing to beat players, commit defenders to challenges, skip by them and engineer opportunities as a result.

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And now that it has been confirmed that he would like to join the North London club, all we are waiting for is for Arsenal to answer the call. Let’s hope they do so.