Arsenal: Thomas Lemar one of the only Alexis Sanchez excuses

Thomas Lemar liked a comment on Instagram saying ‘Welcome to Arsenal’. While that means very little, even if the media will build it up for all that it’s worth, if he was to join, he would offer one of the only valid excuses for selling Alexis Sanchez.

In the modern, desperate world of football transfers, everything can and will be construed as a hint of a particular departure or signing. And given the increased use of social media in the younger generation, a generation that most footballers are now a part of, that is often the tool from which these unfounded rumours spring.

Catch the latest episode of the Pain in the Arsenal podcast here

That is where the latest explosion of Thomas-Lemar-to-Arsenal rumours have come from. Lemar, who is only 22 years of age, liked a comment on Instagram that said ‘Welcome to Arsenal’. Now, obviously, that means very little, even if the media would have you believe the very significance of it.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

• 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
• Mikel Arteta provides Gabriel Martinelli injury update after Everton win

But I still want to discuss what the impact that the potential signing of Lemar would have on the make-up of the squad — the Instagram-driven development was what spurred me into writing this article, reminding me of the possibility of Lemar coming to North London. Specifically, I want to give my opinion on how the signing of Lemar would drastically change the landscape in regards to the future of Alexis Sanchez.

Arsene Wenger has a decision to make regarding Sanchez. The Chilean, if he so chooses, can leave the club at the end of the year for absolutely nothing. It is expected that he will. So if the Gunners want to recoup some semblance of value for their Player of the Season, then they will have to sell in January. Clearly, that is far from optimal given his importance to the squad.

Whenever Sanchez does leave Arsenal, they will have to replace him with a player of unique quality and calibre. There are few options that have the talent and the productivity to replicate the impact that Sanchez has on this team, even given his recent sub-par form, though I would hasten to add that it is not as disastrous as many would have you believe.

The reason for my thinking to keep him through the January window and sacrificing those final scraps of value is that the winter window is not conducive to finding a player capable of replacing Sanchez. If he were to leave, Arsenal would find it difficult to sign a successor.

But if Lemar was available to sign in January, then that changes the landscape completely. Lemar is a player who could offer at least a similar attacking potency and productivity as Sanchez, and doing so at six years his junior. Suddenly, Sanchez can be sold for whatever value can be earned without his absence hurting the team as painfully as with no replacement.

Next: Arsenal Vs Newcastle United: Predicted starting XI

Allowing Sanchez to leave is something that, in theory, helps Arsenal. They can reinvest his price, they can refesh the squad, and they allow a player who is not wholly committed to the club to depart. The issue is that his exit would significantly dent their top four and Champions League hopes. With Lemar coming in, such dents are limited. It would change everything.