Arsenal: Thomas Lemar optimism must breed results

Arsenal’s transfer pursuit of Thomas Lemar is surprisingly becoming the story of the summer, so this renewed optimism has to lead to something.

You would think that Arsenal landing Alexandre Lacazette would steal the headlines this summer and, to be fair, they did at the time. But that only lasted a few days, because the attention soon returned to Thomas Lemar as the object of intense speculation and discussion.

Which probably has something to do with the way the transfer talk has gone. Arsenal submitted a reasonable bid very early on and it was rejected in no time, with Monaco insisting that he was not for sale. Then, in a series of two unfortunate events, Lemar was written off as impossible. I even jumped the gun a bit saying that the best we can do is wait for next year.

Those two events, which happened in quick succession, were the reports of Lemar costing anywhere between £50m and £80m and the report that Arsenal were turning their attention away from Lemar and looking instead at Riyad Mahrez.

But again, Arsene Wenger surprised us because before the Mahrez rumors could gain any steam, reports surfaced that the Gunners had sent off another bid for Lemar, and then another. This latest third bid is supposedly around £40m and according to the reports, Wenger remains optimistic that Lemar’s desire to come to Arsenal will be realized.

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Maybe I’m a bit spoiled here in expecting this to happen, but if this optimism really does exist, then Wenger has to stop at nothing to see it completed. And I mean nothing. Thankfully, it sounds like the only thing in the way is the price tag, which is always very simple to overcome – you just pay it.

It was very similar with Lacazette this summer. Arsenal wanted him, so they made it happen. It was that easy. The lack of Champions League couldn’t stop them, Atletico Madrid’s successful bid couldn’t stop them. It was what Wenger and Lacazette wanted so it happened.

Again, perhaps I sound ungrateful, but that same thing has to happen for Lemar. Wenger’s power in the transfer market cannot be understated. He knows how to attract players no matter the state of the club and he can put all lingering doubts to bed if he can secure Lemar against all odds.

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And the odds really are stacked against him. It will not be easy to see this deal through, but at this point, to not complete the move would lead to serious disappointment. Even if we should be satisfied with the moves that have already been completed.

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