Arsenal: One thing we know for sure about Thomas Lemar

Arsenal are still barking at the heels of Thomas Lemar and it’s worth it to take a step back and analyze what we know for sure about this whole ordeal.

Transfer rumors can be tricky little things, particularly when it comes to Arsenal. Players like Gonzalo Higuain can be in the back then slither out and end up suiting up for Napoli. Although I’m quite glad that ended up being the case.

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Or Karim Benzema. How could the rumors have been more wrong?

But with Thomas Lemar, most of what we are getting has been rumors and speculation. When that is the case, we like to take a step back and pick out the things that we know for certain, as it helps to recenter the whole ordeal on where we are exactly.

I think the thing we know for sure is pretty simple – there is only one thing standing in the way of this move happening, and that thing is Monaco. No other force or entity is fighting this move. In fact, every other force or entity is trying to push it through.

Let’s look at the proof. First of all, Arsene Wenger very openly spoke about still shopping and was very clear about his interest in Lemar. That doesn’t happen very often. Either one. So the fact that both happened is huge.

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Then there is the fact that Monaco keep stating that Lemar is not for sale. Clearly there are some attempts on him.

Couple that with how silent Lemar has been. He hasn’t entered into contract talks after a huge year, he hasn’t denied the rumors, he hasn’t done anything to give Monaco faith that he wants to be there.

Then there is this latest instance of Lemar freely posing with Arsenal fans when he is clearly aware of the speculation out there. That isn’t something you just do. If Alexis Sanchez posed with Manchester City fans or even PSG or Bayern Munich fans, supporters would be livid. They’d want him out of the club immediately, do not pass go, do not collect $200.

But Lemar did it. And he didn’t exactly look like a hostage in the pictures either.

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While we can’t say without a shadow of a doubt, we can safely assume that the biggest piece of the puzzle – a desire from the player, is there as well. He is clearly not fighting or hiding from the rumors and until he does, the belief will remain.