Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger doesn’t believe the club will continue their pursuit of Monaco winger Thomas Lemar. The Frenchman has also ruled out a January move for Leicester’s Riyad Mahrez. Arsenal fans will not be impressed by either decision as the transfer window approaches.
Arsenal fans in disbelief
Arsenal have started the season in decent form despite losing three times already. The Gunners currently sit in fifth after 10 games. With the club pushing for a Champions League place next season and the expected sale of Mesut Ozil in January, Wenger has caused many to worry with his announcement Lemar and Mahrez won’t be pursued.
Arsenal attempted to buy Lemar last August for £90 million. His decision not to join the club prevented Arsenal from selling Alexis Sanchez to Manchester City.
Wenger was asked about another bid for Lemar ahead of the team’s Europa League match on Thursday.
“No. At the moment, I told you I have a big squad, the problem for me is to keep the squad together for the rest of the season,” Wenger said. “Do we go into the January transfer market? I don’t know yet.”
At the same time, Wenger shrugged off the idea that he would attempt to sign Mahrez from Leicester.
One player Arsenal have been linked with this autumn is Arda Turan. The Barcelona winger has not found life in the Catalan capital to his liking, and is desperate to leave.
Fantasy impact
Mahrez at Arsenal would see the Algerian accumulate more points with an overall better side. The Gunners tactics would also suit Mahrez. Whether Turan could provide FPL managers points is unknown. He hasn’t played much at Barcelona and is a traditional wide-man. It isn’t the type of player that currently thrives at Arsenal, therefore, Turan wouldn’t offer a great return to FPL managers.