Arsenal: Missing Thomas Lemar costs in more ways than one

Arsenal were unable to secure the signature of Thomas Lemar on transfer deadline day. Their failure to do so could cost them in more ways than one.

While Ivan Gazidis may protest otherwise, it’s fair to say that Arsenal’s summer transfer window was disappointing. After illustrious statements of ambition, title challenges and European adventures, the club proceeded to, maddeningly, make a profit, confirming the doubts that so many fans held when their contorted PR speak was coming out.

Related Story: Arsenal: 4 summer mistakes that must be rectified

The shambolic summer culminated in a hapless transfer deadline day where panic reigned and plans and preparations were seemingly nonexistent, or at least were abandoned in the heat of the moment.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

• 3 observations from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
• 3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton
• 3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory
• Arsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
• 3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park

The most prominent mistake that Arsenal and Arsene Wenger made was their inability to secure a suitable replacement for Alexis Sanchez. With an offer from Manchester City for the Chilean on the table — the last chance for the club to be able to recoup any sort of value on the player because of his contract expiring next summer –, the Gunners had the opportunity to sell Sanchez for good money, replace him with a suitable alternative and breathe a new lease of life into a rotting and stagnating squad.

The man they targeted was Monaco’s Thomas Lemar. A £92 million offer was made and accepted, only for the deal to collapse 20 minutes later. In the aftermath of the hectic deadline day, Wenger stated that Lemar rejected his advances, while Monaco’s Vice-President Vadim Vasilyev revealed that Lemar wanted to go to either Arsenal or Liverpool. In the end, such rumour and conjecture matter little; Lemar stays at Monaco and Wenger failed to get his man.

Although that meant that Sanchez stayed in North London for another season, the decision could cost Arsenal in more ways than one.

Firstly, they will be unable to garner a fee anywhere near the £60 million that City were willing to pay for Sanchez. Secondly, it is unlikely that, if Lemar continues to perform and progress as they expect, they will be able to sign Lemar for a fee as ‘little’ as £92 million. But, perhaps most crucially, they spurned the chance to bring the future into the present.

Whether Sanchez stayed or not, he was never going to be a part of the long-term future. He turns 29 this season, so even if he signed a new contract, which was improbable anyway, to expect him to be a prominent member of the squad four or five years down the line would be naive. Lemar, on the other hand, is 21, has his prime ahead of him and could establish himself as the central figure of the Arsenal squad for years to come.

Next: Arsenal: 4 truths about Ivan Gazidis' summer assessment

Failing to sign Lemar, even for a fee as high as £92 million, will not only cost the club from a mere monetary perspective, but it also sees the squad continuing to age and deteriorate. Missing the Lemar signing was a huge mistake from Wenger and it will come back to bite him.