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Arsenal: Riyad Mahrez the perfect Alexandre Lacazette sequel
![MADRID, SPAIN - APRIL 12: [EDITORS NOTE: THIS IMAGE WAS PROCESSED USING DIGITAL FILTERS] Riyad Mahrez looks on during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final first leg match between Club Atletico de Madrid and Leicester City at Vicente Calderon Stadium on April 12, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape%2Fcover%2Fsport%2F79e550ff3bf19bf362270a1f37ebd6ea47be51cb6e6bb65821bd7802c3e9dd23.jpg "MADRID, SPAIN - APRIL 12: [EDITORS NOTE: THIS IMAGE WAS PROCESSED USING DIGITAL FILTERS] Riyad Mahrez looks on during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final first leg match between Club Atletico de Madrid and Leicester City at Vicente Calderon Stadium on April 12, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)")
Riyad Mahrez’s move to Arsenal will be announced soon, according to reports in Italy. His signing would be the perfect sequel to Alexandre Lacazette, who has flown to North London to have a medical and complete his transfer from Lyon.
Arsenal are set to sign Alexandre Lacazette. While they added Sead Kolasinac earlier in the window on a free transfer, it is this move that signals the start, and hopefully not the end, of their spending. The Lyon striker arrived in North London for his medical on Sunday, with the intention of completing his move early next week.
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It is reported that the fee will be in the region of £52 million, a club record and a sign that Arsene Wenger is wanting to open his check book and splash the cash a little. And that is an important fact given the ambition that was spouted when he signed a new contract shortly after the end of the season.
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The contorted, manufactured PR that came drooling out of Wenger, Ivan Gazidis and Stan Kroenke’s mouths is no longer enough to wipe away the despair and disappointments of last season. The lack of a title challenge, the humiliation in Europe, the failure to secure Champions League football next season. These are all shortcomings that are difficult to forget.
The fans are demanding proof that Arsenal are willing to back up their words. That starts with their actions in the transfer window. The impending addition of Lacazette, as well as securing the free transfer of Sead Kolasinac, is a good start. But there is still much work to be done if talk of title challenges and trophies is to be vindicated.
Thankfully, Wenger seemingly realises this, and per recent reports in Italy, is wanting to press on with more additions immediately after securing Lacazette. Those reports claim that Riyad Mahrez is edging towards a move to North London.
The Leicester City winger had, in a rather long-winded statement, publicly declared his intention to leave earlier in the summer, after having frank conversations with the owners that he wanted to stay another season while the Foxes were in the Champions League before departing.
Moreover, Wenger is a keen admirer of his talents, speaking of him by name in an interview earlier in the window, something that is very rare for Wenger when it comes to potential signings. Mahrez would be the perfect replacement for Alexis Sanchez, as a dynamic, driving, direct winger, and could be available for around £30 million.
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Arsenal need to show that they are serious about challenging for the title. The anticipated addition of Lacazette is the beginning of that. Mahrez would be the ideal sequel.