Former Arsenal defender Lauren has said that his former club do not need to sign Riyad Mahrez this summer. The Algerian winger has been linked with a move to the Emirates for months but the former right back can’t see why (via The Evening Standard).
Lauren made almost 250 appearances for Arsenal during his six seasons at the club, winning two Premier League titles and three FA Cups. He left for Portsmouth in 2007 but is remembered fondly by the majority of Gunners fans. Like everyone else, the Cameroonian has an opinion on the North London club’s transfer policy, and made his feelings clear about the links to Riyad Mahrez.
“He is a very good player, but how many similar players in terms of technically proficient, creative midfielders and wide men do Arsenal have already?” Lauren told The Evening Standard.
“They have Mesut Ozil, they have Jack Wilshere, they have Aaron Ramsey, they have Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, they have Theo Walcott – Arsenal don’t need Mahrez.
“Arsenal have always had dynamic players – but they need to change that style a little bit, maybe be a little more direct, with some aggressiveness, and determination – which means players with a different style than Mahrez can offer.”
It was reported yesterday that the Algerian had agreed personal terms to join The Gunners but Lauren must not be impressed. The former full back is certainly entitled to an opinion but it seems unfair to compare Mahrez to the players already at the club. The Leicester man scored 17 Premier League goals last season, incidentally that is the same number as Ozil, Wilshere, Ramsey, Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Walcott combined. Mahrez provides width and a final product. He would definitely improve the current Arsenal squad.
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