Riyad Mahrez

[Penn_]

Where was his talent until the age of 24? He wasn't a great talent before. He had his first good season in the briliant Leicester season. Surprsingly Vardy too.

I don't want to say he is a one season wonder, but 15/16 nearly every Leicester player played above their potential.

Okay, Kante proved his form at Chelsea. Mahrez was solid last year, not more. I'm not convinced he can player another year like 15/16.

At 24 he would have been adjusting to a massive step up in league. Just because someone hasn't dominated by a certain age doesn't make them crap. Drogba moved to Chelsea at his age ffs.

If Kante can further prove himself in a defensive unit such as Chelsea, I don't see why Mahrez can do the same in an attacking team such as ourselves.

 

[benjamin86]

Drogba joined Chelsea at 26, Ian Wright didnt join AFC until 28.

I don't think you can use age against Mahrez.

What you can say against Mahrez is he seems like a fair weather player, when the teams playing well he looks awesome, when it's not he's not the type of player to put the team on his back and win a game by himself.

 

[celestis]

At 24 he would have been adjusting to a massive step up in league. Just because someone hasn't dominated by a certain age doesn't make them crap. Drogba moved to Chelsea at his age ffs.

If Kante can further prove himself in a defensive unit such as Chelsea, I don't see why Mahrez can do the same in an attacking team such as ourselves.

Incredible underestimated Mahrez has become. A season and a half ago posters were convinced he was better than all our wide options. Now hes trash.

 

[YaGunnersYa]

Mahrez has always been a talent. It was with Le Havre and not a Monaco or PSG where he was unearthed so ofcourse didnt hit the headlines like Lemar has with a star-studded Monaco team.

Lemar doesnt have it in his locker to do a Mahrez POTY season.

 

[BobP]

Incredible underestimated Mahrez has become. A season and a half ago posters were convinced he was better than all our wide options. Now hes trash.

Look, Mahrez is an incredibly talented footballer but that doesn't mean he doesn't have his downsides.

1. He's not that intelligent.
2. There are serious question marks regarding his ability to integrate within team structures.
3. There are also serious question marks regarding his work rate and commitment.

If you watched Leicester in their title winning season, Mahrez was almost divorced from the broader structures of the team. In other words, he was isolated. But his brilliant ability meant that that was of little consequence as he was able to break through just about every teams defense.

My point is that in a Leicester team with very little flair or individual quality, it becomes necessary to accommodate a player like that but how much does a team like Arsenal need Mahrez?

 

[Majoreyeswater]

If this is true, Arsenal are playing their cards smart.

All we need to do is retain our interest in Lemar then if Monaco are refusing to budge, make a public lowball offer for Mahrez (like Suarez) which will definitely get rejected....

Then just grab the popcorn (Mahrez will hand in a transfer request)

He already has. Just get yer hands in yer pockets and pay up, for once!

 

[Rimaal]

He already has. Just get yer hands in yer pockets and pay up, for once!

Not 50 Mil we won't.

 

[Hunta]

He already has. Just get yer hands in yer pockets and pay up, for once!

Arsenal have just spent £46m on a player. Mahrez is a last resort. Bigger fish to fry.

 

[Slartibartfast]

Where was his talent until the age of 24? He wasn't a great talent before. He had his first good season in the briliant Leicester season. Surprsingly Vardy too.

I don't want to say he is a one season wonder, but 15/16 nearly every Leicester player played above their potential.

Okay, Kante proved his form at Chelsea. Mahrez was solid last year, not more. I'm not convinced he can player another year like 15/16.

Ian Wright thought his career was a bust at 22, didn't make his Premier League debut until he was 26, signed for Arsenal at 28 and became the club's all-time leading goal scorer. And I guess you'd be surprised how common that sort of story is. Didier Drogba comes to mind. Luca Toni didn't have his breakthrough season with Palermo until he was 26 and didn't do it in Serie A until he was 28.

 

[al-Ustaadh]

 

[al-Ustaadh]

 

[Sanchez11]

How does he know who were buying?clutching at straws by looks of it.

 

[al-Ustaadh]

I can see us bringing in both if Lemar is viewed as a CM, which has been my position.

Is it too much to dream for Mbappe, Lacazette, Lemar, and Mahrez? While keeping Sanchez and Özil?

 

[GeorgiaGunner]

Either would be an immense signing -- both would have me convinced Alexis is as good as gone, however.

 

[GeorgiaGunner]

I can see us bringing in both if Lemar is viewed as a CM, which has been my position.

Is it too much to dream for Mbappe, Lacazette, Lemar, and Mahrez? While keeping Sanchez and Özil?

Mbappe isn't coming and never was.

 

[al-Ustaadh]

Either would be an immense signing -- both would have me convinced Alexis is as good as gone, however.

Lemar is not a Sanchez replacement... Now on the other hand if we signed Mahrez in addition...

 

[HairSprayGooners]

The only way Mahrez and Lemar would join would be if Alexis left. Mahrez is one that'll drag beyond August.

 

[Sanchez11]

The only way Mahrez and Lemar would join would be if Alexis left. Mahrez is one that'll drag beyond August.

I think lemar will be the one to drag

 

[One Love]

Switch back to 433, keep Alexis, and sign both.

Lemar - Xhaka
Özil

Alexis - Mahrez
Lacazette​

 

[HairSprayGooners]

I think lemar will be the one to drag

I don't, we've already upped are bid to £40m. If we're wanting to go to £50m that's just 7 more bids to go and that can be done before August x