In The Footsteps Of The Cheeky Chilean – Is Thomas Lemar The Man To Replace Alexis Sanchez At Arsenal?
It is no secret that Arsenal were after Thomas Lemar of AS Monaco in the recently concluded transfer window.
The Gunners had two bids rejected for the 21-year old very early in the window, with reports floating around that they had already agreed personal terms over a five-year deal with the player himself. But, there were no real developments thereafter, and eventually, the transfer window concluded too.
Alexis Sanchez, who is in the final twelve months of his contract and had made clear that he wanted to leave the club, was close to being granted his wishes on the final day, after Arsenal accepted a £60million bid from Manchester City. But the deal hinged on the Gunners bringing in a replacement within time. Enter Lemar, again. Arsene Wenger’s side launched a £92million bid for the winger, who was away on international duty with France at the time and a move did not materialise. This, in turn, stopped Sanchez’s departure as well.
Wenger, since then, has gone on to confirm that these weren’t just baseless rumours and the club had indeed made an offer for Lemar. He even went on to claim that they will return for him in the next transfer window, when Sanchez is likely to leave to join City.
Speaking on Telefoot, Wenger said (as quoted by Guardian):
“€100m for Lemar? Yes, all true, I wanted him. He decided to stay at Monaco. We will come back for him.”
It seems certain that Sanchez will leave the club either in January or for free next summer and Wenger is resigned to losing the club’s best player right now. The 29-year old Chilean forward has been at the forefront of everything for the Gunners. Last season, he had one of his best campaigns, scoring 31 goals and registering 19 assists in all competitions. Wow, right?
It is nigh impossible to replace someone of his calibre and quality, but Lemar seems to be the ideal choice to come in and fill in the shoes of the Chilean. The 21-year old put on some really exciting displays for the Principality based outfit last season, and was one of the most important players for the club as they went on to win the French Ligue1 title and made it to the finals of the Champions League. He ended the campaign with 14 goals and 17 assists in 55 games in all competitions.
He has started off the new season on a strong note as well, registering two assists in 5 games and impressed on national duty for France too, scoring a brace in Les Bleus’ 4-0 rout of Netherlands.
He may not exude the brute force and the power that Sanchez brings, but is an equal match when it comes to the technical ability and the knack of creating chances. Able to play on the left wing or in a central attacking midfield role, the 21-year old can score, create, run with the ball at his feet, pick out a killer pass and finish with aplomb.
Blessed with great pace and wonderful dribbling abilities and good cross delivery, Lemar is extremely good from set-pieces as well and is everything one would expect from a wide player.
Yes, Wenger had used Sanchez in a centre-forward role last season, but having brought in Alexandre Lacazette, he was bound to use the Chilean on the left flank. Lemar may not have had the same goals tally, but he is very much a Wenger type of player and will thrive at the Emirates without a doubt.
Sanchez’s exit is pretty much sealed now, and it is high time Arsenal look to plan for life after him. Lemar should be the man they bring in as a replacement. Given that he is just 21 years of age, the French international will turn out to be the perfect long-term heir for the Chilean maverick.