Why Thomas Lemar Would Make It Big At Arsenal Under Arsene Wenger
Thomas Lemar has emerged as one of Arsenal’s main transfer targets this summer after impressing in Monaco’s title-winning season.
While teammates Kylian Mbappe, Bernardo Silva, and Benjamin Mendy may have garnered more attention, Lemar has apparently impressed Arsene Wenger with his playmaking ability and versatility in midfield. With 14 goals and 17 assists across all competitions this season, it is clear that Lemar has a lot to offer going forward.
The French playmaker has the technical ability and versatility to play as a number 10, as an out-and-out winger, or as an inverted winger/inside forward. It would be a waste to push Lemar into just one position, given his ability as a multi-faceted playmaker. On the wings, he even manages to have the balance between the attack and the defence, always tracking back to help out his full back.
The biggest factor that really makes Lemar ideal for Arsenal is his versatility in the field. Lemar can play either as a central midfielder or on the wing, a trait that Wenger values highly. At Monaco, he excelled on the left wing of a 4-4-2 formation that allowed him to drift into the centre at will. Lemar isn’t as pacy as Bellerin or Sanchez but has the ability to create space for himself with excellent footwork and uses his quick decision-making to pick out the right pass.
Wenger’s recent and rare tactical experiment saw him trying out the new trend of the three-back defence, and with the pace in his squad with the likes of Hector Bellerin, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Kieran Gibbs, it made sense. Now Thomas Lemar would fit in anywhere on the left in this formation comfortably. With his attacking prowess, ability to pick a pass, and strong defensive contribution, Lemar could add a new edge to the squad from the midfield, as a wing back, or even in the front three.
In Wenger’s classic 4-2-3-1, Lemar would fit perfectly on the left wing, or even centrally. Keeping in mind the various possible departures from the Emirates over the summer, Lemar could be a good option for the squad in general.
Being just 21-years-old, at Arsenal, under the tutelage of the legendary Arsene Wenger, Lemar could be one of the many youngsters to have successfully been made great by the Frenchman.