Arsenal: Raheem Sterling challenges Thomas Lemar as saviour

Raheem Sterling is repeatedly being linked with an Arsenal move. When it comes to replacing Alexis Sanchez, would he or Thomas Lemar be the better saviour?

Alexis Sanchez, after a dramatic deadline day that saw a bid from Manchester City rejected, an improved return offer then accepted, and then rejected just 20 minutes later, is still an Arsenal player. However, with just a year left on his contract and his desire to leave the club last summer, it would be surprising to see him remain at the Emirates beyond the end of the year.

Given his ability, his importance to and his influence on the side, a replacement capable of replicating his all-round quality and productivity must be found. Arsenal cannot expect to find success in the future if they allow players of the calibre of Sanchez to leave without adequate replacing them.

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There have been many names rumoured as possible avenues to explore, if Sanchez is indeed to leave as is anticipated. From Riyad Mahrez to Ross Barkley, there are few young, gifted attackers that haven’t been mentioned as a possible Sanchez replacement. However, since the drama of the closing days of the transfer window, two names have risen above all the others.

Both Raheem Sterling and Thomas Lemar offer Arsene Wenger a key trait that he is clearly searching for in his Sanchez successor: youth. After losing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in the summer to Liverpool, it is clear that Wenger wants a long-term option to succeed Sanchez, and not just another body to plug the gap for a one or two seasons.

Offers were made for both Lemar and Sterling — it was a swap deal for the latter involving Sanchez — and interest remains in both, with Wenger admitting that he would make another move for Lemar, and the Daily Mail reporting that he is still intrigued by the possibility of swapping Sanchez for Sterling in January.

While both players predominantly feature in the same position, they play it with very different styles. Sterling relies on his pace and athleticism, playing with great directness and purpose, driving forwards with the ball at his feet, skipping past defenders, flashing crosses into the box and unleashing shots at goal; Lemar is far cuter, exploiting his spatial awareness to drift inside, finding pockets of space in between defenders, receiving the ball on the half turn, prying open angles and opportunities with piercing, incisive passes.

Both have been extremely productive throughout their young career. Lemar broke double figures in both goals and assists in Ligue 1 last year; Sterling, in limited time, has amassed 13 goals and eight assists in the two Premier League seasons spent in Manchester. Both are young, also. Lemar is only 21 and Sterling 22. They have room to grow and develop, for Wenger to nurture them and to invest in them, to mould them into the players that he wants them to be.

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Both have the natural talent to become the long-term replacement for Sanchez. But deciding which one is better, ultimately, comes down to a question of style. Do Arsenal need a pacier, more direct, more purposeful winger? Or do they require another midfielder with guile and nous? I tend to think the former is of greater use. It will be interesting to see if Wenger agrees or not.

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