Arsenal: Riyad Mahrez a good replacement and the perfect compliment

Arsene Wenger is reportedly pressing on after signing Alexandre Lacazette in the hope of securing a deal for Riyad Mahrez. The Leicester City winger may be a good replacement for Alexis Sanchez, but he would be an even better compliment.

Arsenal and Alexis Sanchez need to thrash out their business. Such is the importance and the influence of the Chilean, that his leaving or his staying will undoubtedly have significant ramifications on the remainder of the summer transfer activity and the feeling of the squad as players progress through preseason preparations and gear up for the new season.

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The Chilean has just one more year to run on his current deal and holds all the power at the negotiating table. It is likely his decision whether he wants to stay or go, and if he chooses the latter path, which is what most expect of him, then Arsene Wenger will have to find an adequate replacement.

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One name that has been mentioned as an avenue to explore is Riyad Mahrez. The Leicester City winger has told the Foxes board that he would like to leave the club, revealing that he agreed to stay for one more season because of the Champions League, before making a more concrete decision on his long-term future, and Wenger has stated of his admiration for his talents, tantalisingly answering ‘not yet’ when asked if he had made a bid.

Since the signing of Alexandre Lacazette on Wednesday, further rumours have surfaced suggesting that Wenger is wanting to press on and secure the services of the Algerian to further bolster his attacking wealth.

And Mahrez is the type of player who can replicate the pacy, direct play of Sanchez. He is extremely fluid in his movement, especially with the ball at his feet; he glides past opposing defenders, swerving in and out of traffic seamlessly, never losing control of the ball, always committing defenders and creating problems.

However, how much more potent and fluid would this Arsenal attack be if Mahrez could be paired with Sanchez? Reverting to back to the 4-2-3-1 formation, Wenger could play with Sanchez, Mahrez and Lacazette as the three most attacking players, with Mesut Ozil flourishing as the creative most attacking midfielder.

It is a sumptuous thought, one that makes me, and many fans, salivate at the prospect. Moreover, it is not beyond the realms of possibility. Mahrez would cost in the region of £35 million, and with his signing, perhaps Sanchez would be convinced to stay at the Emirates for another season, in search of that ever-elusive Premier League trophy.

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If Arsenal do sign Mahrez, it will most likely be as a replacement for Sanchez. In that scenario, Mahrez would still be a good signing. But if he was introduced as a compliment, then it would be a near-perfect situation.