Arsenal: What did Thomas Lemar expect to happen?

Arsenal almost had Thomas Lemar last summer, but it didn’t work out, largely by Lemar’s choice. What did he expect to happen other than what did?

Arsenal’s last second attempt to sign Thomas Lemar over the summer almost shook the footballing world. Alexis Sanchez would have been out earlier than he eventually was and Thomas Lemar would have been what Henrikh Mkhitaryan now is – a creation machine on a team deserving of his talents.

But things turned out differently and, if reports are to be believed, that’s because Lemar was hesitant to make such a big decision the day the window shut.

And now, Lemar is very open that he regrets it. He’s openly expressing how he hopes “the same” clubs will be back interested come this summer window.

My only question to Lemar is – what did you expect to happen? Assuming it was indeed Lemar who turned away from leaving a battered Monaco side, did he really expect staying to be the better decision?

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Obviously he did. It had less risk. But since making that decision, several things have happened – Monaco proved that losing over half of their starting line-up is no way to carry on where they left off. With half the quality around him, Lemar has struggled this year, amassing two goals and seven assists compared to the nine goals and ten assists from a brilliant breakout year in the previous season.

The other thing that happened that Lemar shouldn’t be surprised about? That glorious opening to be the Alexis replacement has closed up. Mkhitaryan took it and, while he is much older than Lemar, he is proving to be everything we needed him to be – creative, energetic, and enthusiastic about his new career in North London.

Lemar would have been doing this exact same thing, from an earlier time and, given what Mkhitaryan has been able to do with it, it’s clear that Lemar would likely have more than his tally of goal contributions at Monaco and while he may not be in the sparkling position of second, the Premier League offers much more than a distant second place in Ligue 1.

Unfortunately for Lemar, the window of opportunity closed. Arsenal need wingers, but Lemar is as much a winger as Mkhitaryan is. There are more “winger-like” wingers available and with names like Ousmane Demebele being tossed around, good luck competing.

And if we are in the market for a No. 10 or a creative winger, then Nabil Fekir should be preferred over Lemar.

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He shouldn’t be surprised. Someone had to replace Alexis and when Lemar turned it away, he gave up that chance. Everything now would have to be fought tooth and nail for and everyone else has a head start.

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