I get the impression we'll go after an attacker in the 40-60m range this summer. Whether that's a priority or not is up for debate but recent links suggest it will be the case. The 3 most likely candidates are Lemar, Malcom & Fekir.
I like Lemar a lot and can see why Wenger would go for him. He'd slot in at LW but over time could develop into other positions. The benefits of Lemar are his delivery and passing ability, his natural technique and also his selflessness. Playing alongside Özil & Mkhi he could contribute to a very fluid attack with each of them able to interchange and assist the striker. He's the most 'Wengerball' of the candidates. The problem might be that he's too selfless and we'd revert back to the days when everyone wanted the assist but no one wanted to take a shot. He's not an out and out match-winner just yet and may never be.
Both Malcom & Fekir however provide what a lot of us want, which is the ability to beat a man and create something out of nothing; they're match-winners.
A lot of people don't see the point of Fekir because he's played mostly at CAM or second striker and we already have Özil there. But the point is that he's an exceptional dribbler which is the quality we need. He could be put on the wing and come inside during the game or take Özil's place in the future. Of the 3 candidates he's categorically the best player right now, is still attainable at about 60m and would provide instant quality.
Malcom makes the most sense if you want a pure winger to provide that dribbling ability, he'd slot straight in at RW very simply. He's very ambitious, has a lot of potential and also re-sale value down the line. He's currently by far the best player in a very mediocre side. That's positive because it means he's willing to take responsibility and be an unofficial leader; the guy who you give the ball to when you need a moment of magic. But it also means he'd have to adjust himself to our system, he wouldn't be a senior player and so would have to learn to become less selfish.
It's the Alexis conundrum; having that brilliant individual helps because he'll take responsibility and make something out of nothing, but we also found that he can sometimes be detrimental to the fluidity of the team. Overall it's more of a benefit than a detriment to have that kind of player, so I wouldn't be too worried. Also that kind of player draws focus and defenders towards them, meaning space can be opened up for others.
There's also Bailey who'd be fantastic, but I just get the sense he'll be unreasonably expensive and go elsewhere. Lastly of course there's Mahrez. He would provide instant quality and dribbling ability at RW, but there are questions over his price tag, his behaviour and also he wouldn't really hold any re-sale value. With Aubameyang, Özil & Mkhi already you could argue we need someone who'll hold their value.
So there perhaps isn't one single outstanding candidate and it comes down to personal preference and what you prioritise in terms of stand-out qualities and positional suitability. Seeing as we badly need to invest at GK, CB & DM I'd maybe favour Malcom, just because I think at around 40m he'd be a great investment while enabling us to also focus on other areas.
I like Lemar a lot and can see why Wenger would go for him. He'd slot in at LW but over time could develop into other positions. The benefits of Lemar are his delivery and passing ability, his natural technique and also his selflessness. Playing alongside Özil & Mkhi he could contribute to a very fluid attack with each of them able to interchange and assist the striker. He's the most 'Wengerball' of the candidates. The problem might be that he's too selfless and we'd revert back to the days when everyone wanted the assist but no one wanted to take a shot. He's not an out and out match-winner just yet and may never be.
Both Malcom & Fekir however provide what a lot of us want, which is the ability to beat a man and create something out of nothing; they're match-winners.
A lot of people don't see the point of Fekir because he's played mostly at CAM or second striker and we already have Özil there. But the point is that he's an exceptional dribbler which is the quality we need. He could be put on the wing and come inside during the game or take Özil's place in the future. Of the 3 candidates he's categorically the best player right now, is still attainable at about 60m and would provide instant quality.
Malcom makes the most sense if you want a pure winger to provide that dribbling ability, he'd slot straight in at RW very simply. He's very ambitious, has a lot of potential and also re-sale value down the line. He's currently by far the best player in a very mediocre side. That's positive because it means he's willing to take responsibility and be an unofficial leader; the guy who you give the ball to when you need a moment of magic. But it also means he'd have to adjust himself to our system, he wouldn't be a senior player and so would have to learn to become less selfish.
It's the Alexis conundrum; having that brilliant individual helps because he'll take responsibility and make something out of nothing, but we also found that he can sometimes be detrimental to the fluidity of the team. Overall it's more of a benefit than a detriment to have that kind of player, so I wouldn't be too worried. Also that kind of player draws focus and defenders towards them, meaning space can be opened up for others.
There's also Bailey who'd be fantastic, but I just get the sense he'll be unreasonably expensive and go elsewhere. Lastly of course there's Mahrez. He would provide instant quality and dribbling ability at RW, but there are questions over his price tag, his behaviour and also he wouldn't really hold any re-sale value. With Aubameyang, Özil & Mkhi already you could argue we need someone who'll hold their value.
So there perhaps isn't one single outstanding candidate and it comes down to personal preference and what you prioritise in terms of stand-out qualities and positional suitability. Seeing as we badly need to invest at GK, CB & DM I'd maybe favour Malcom, just because I think at around 40m he'd be a great investment while enabling us to also focus on other areas.
