Arsenal: Riyad Mahrez a great signing but not enough to replace Alexis

Arsenal are linked to Riyad Mahrez again, but even if he is brought in for Alexis Sanchez, it is not enough to fill the void left by the Chilean.

In recent weeks Leicester winger Riyad Mahrez has been linked with a move to Arsenal. However, this signing is supposedly only going to happen if Alexis Sánchez is sold to Man City.

If Arsenal are going to continue with a 4-2-3-1 this season with the addition of Mahrez and subtraction of Sánchez, then they would have to start the likes of Danny Welbeck or Alex Iwobi out on the left wing. Both players have not been putting in any noteworthy performances, and due to this Wenger should look to sign an additional winger who can play on the left to also replace Sánchez.

The Gunners have been linked with a few names this winter including Carrasco, Draxler, Pavón, and Bailey. However, either Yannick Carrasco or Leon Bailey would be the most feasible players to sign along with Mahrez.

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Yannick Carrasco

Carrasco has only started six league games for Atlético and he is reportedly available to move this winter. Carrasco averages below one key pass a game and less than two shots a game. That is dramatically less than Sánchez’s 2.7 key passes and 3.6 shots a game.

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However, Carrasco is deployed as a left midfielder in Atlético’s 4-4-2. This limits the amount of time he spends in his own final third. Atlético are a counter-attacking team, which would limit the amount of time Carrasco can affect the game.

The Belgian still puts up impressive numbers in his limited minutes. He completes 2.5 dribbles a game and is averaging a goal or assist every 111 minutes in La Liga this season.

At Arsenal, Carrasco would be higher up the pitch, be in a team that is possession based, and would be a consistent starter, which are all conducive to boosting those numbers.

Leon Bailey

Bailey is averaging a staggering goal or assist every 97 minutes in the Bundesliga this season. Sánchez is averaging a goal or assist every 150 minutes.

What makes Bailey’s numbers even better is he has started at left wing-back four times this year and he still is averaging impressive numbers for a 20-year-old, 1.9 key passes a game, 2.6 shots a game, and 1.7 dribbles a game.

Bailey’s is capable of playin at left wing-back but also left winger or right winger. Bailey to Arsenal has a realistic chance of happening as Leverkusen are reportedly asking for £35m this winter.

He has a bright future but at only 20 years old it may be too early for Arsenal to make him a key player.

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Not the only problem

Obviously, the Gunners have other problems to address, like a holding midfielder and a central defender this January. There is also no guarantee that Sánchez is leaving this winter either. If he isn’t sold then bringing in Mahrez anyway would be great business. However, if Sánchez leaves this winter, it is integral for Arsenal to replace him with two players of high quality. Not just one.