Arsenal: Thomas Lemar rejection unsurprising

Arsene Wenger has revealed that Thomas Lemar rejected Arsenal’s offer this summer. While disappointing news, given the disarray the club is in, it’s not especially surprising.

It’s fair to say that Arsenal’s summer business was far from progressive. After their spouting of title ambition, expectations of challenging the biggest clubs, both home and abroad, they actually conspired to make a profit in transfer fees — approximately £27 million. That is criminal.

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However, perhaps the most depressing day that highlighted the disarray that currently reigns in North London was the last one. Transfer deadline day saw Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain leave, several others follow him on loan deals, Alexis Sanchez nearly leave, only for the plug to be pulled on any possible deal, and Arsene Wenger to scramble for a replacement, before then, in a worryingly swift decision, change his mind.

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The changing of his mind, though, was enforced, as Wenger has more recently revealed. The man who he was pursuing was Monaco’s Thomas Lemar. An alleged £92 million offer was accepted, but within 30 minutes, suddenly, the bid was retracted and Sanchez’s proposed to move to Manchester City was scuppered. In an interview with BEIN Sports, Wenger stated that it was Lemar who rejected the Gunners:

"“The player has chosen to stay at Monaco. I know we live in an era of transparency but at some stage, to respect everybody, you have to not talk too much about that. You have to respect what happens on the negotiation side.”"

It is slightly unclear as to whether Wenger is referring to the deadline day debacle or the earlier approach made for Lemar in July. However, given that an offer was only officially accepted on Thursday, it would make sense that he is referring to the remarkable £92 million bid.

Whatever the case, the end conclusion is the same: at some point this summer, Lemar rejected Arsenal. And what is most depressing and downheartening about such news is that it’s not even surprising. Unlike Ross Barkley changing his mind mid-medical ahead of a proposed move to Chelsea or Jamie Vardy spurning Wenger last summer, I am not shocked by this revelation.

It would not be unfeasible to argue that Lemar, for the betterment of his career, the progression and development of his talent and for the opportunities to win titles and trophies next season, has actually made the right decision.

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That is thanks to the state that Arsenal football club is currently in. They are rotting, stagnating, slipping their standards. There is a culture of niceness and comfort that is feeding a happiness of mediocrity. It is unknown why Lemar chose to stay at Monaco. But you don’t have to look far to find some possible reasons.