Arsenal: How would Nabil Fekir fit in at after Alexis, Ozil?

Nabil Fekir has been linked with Arsenal in recent weeks, but how would the Frenchman fit in at the North London club, post-Alexis and Ozil?

Nabil Fekir has been lighting up Ligue 1 this season. The Frenchman has 11 goals and four assists through 11 games. Due to his sensational form, he has been gaining strong interest from Arsenal, among other teams.

Fekir has been rumored to be Mesut Özil’s replacement when the German leaves the Emirates. He would be a solid replacement even though he is not a direct replacement for the German.

Fekir vs Özil & Sánchez

Although the two are different players, Fekir would most likely start on the right wing if Özil is sold and he is brought in. He has 11 goals this season, while Özil only has one. This is due to him looking to shoot more as he averages 3.3 shots a game to Özil’s 1.4.

These numbers hint at Fekir being more similar to Alexis Sánchez, if anyone. Both him and the Chilean average 3.3 shots a game. One stat both Sánchez and Özil triumph the Lyon man is key passes a game, as Fekir stands at a respectable 2.2, while Sánchez and Özil are at 2.5 and 3.3, respectively.

If both Sánchez and Özil leave this winter or summer, bringing in Fekir, along with someone who is looking to create for others like Emil Forsberg or Lorenzo Insigne, it is an ideal move for the Gunners.

Connections

Not only is Fekir French like some Arsenal players, but he is also the former teammate of Alexandre Lacazette. The two played together for Lyon since 2013 and strung a good connection with each other. Surely bringing in Fekir would be beneficial for the both of them.

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The 2014/2015 campaign for Lyon demonstrated how deadly these two can be together, as Fekir finished with 13 goals and 9 assists. Lacazette also had a tremendous season as he racked up 27 goals and 6 assists.

Not an easy transfer

Lyon have a well-documented history of being extremely difficult to deal with in transfer negotiations. Combine this with the fact Arsenal signed their best player last season, and Lyon may not want to sell away another big name to the same team.

If Arsenal sell Özil in January, then they can expect little to no chance of purchasing Fekir. Lyon will be fighting for a top-three finish this season and will need to keep their best player to accomplish that. They also would struggle to bring in a suitable replacement for their talisman in January.

Maybe summer of 18

£60m for a player who is or is close to being world class is a bargain in today’s market. Considering Thomas Lemar’s asking price was around £90m, Arsenal’s stingy transfer business may have turned out for the best.

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Hopefully, Fekir stays healthy the rest of the season and Arsenal are able to bring him in if Özil or Sánchez leaves. A Frenchman flying down the wing looking for his fellow countryman striker sounds reminiscent of the glory days for Arsenal.

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Arsenal: How would Nabil Fekir fit in after Alexis and Ozil?

By Chauncy Voorhies | Nov 17, 2017