---
title: "2 pros and 2 cons of Arsenal signing £45m-rated Riyad Mahrez – Agreed?"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/2-pros-and-2-cons-of-arsenal-signing-45m-rated-riyad-mahrez-agreed/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Hayden Atkins"
section: "Arsenal Football Club"
published: "2016-08-05T18:43:56Z"
modified: "2016-08-05T18:43:56Z"
---

# 2 pros and 2 cons of Arsenal signing £45m-rated Riyad Mahrez – Agreed?

**It’s been a turbulent summer of the pitch for Riyad Mahrez this summer.**

For a man that joined Leicester City for £350,000 back in 2013, the Algerian wouldn’t have thought he would be at the centre of such a transfer battle just three years later.

But alas, football is a funny game and the Algerian has been the centre of transfer battle between current side Leicester City and Arsenal, who remain keen to bring the winger to the Emirates this summer.

Should Mahrez make the move to the Emirates before the window closes, he will most likely be Arsenal’s most expensive signing ever, with the Foxes thought to be v[aluing him at £45 million.](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/07/18/leicester-confident-riyad-mahrez-will-stay-but-would-ask-for-mor/)

So, what would be the pros and cons of signing the Leicester man?

## PRO – Mahrez was the best player in the world last year

![Mahrez](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Mahrez.jpg)

A bold claim, but there is plenty of evidence to suggest such a statement.

He was named in the PFA team of the year and later won the PFA Players’ Player of the year award, becoming the first African to do so.

Couple this with a Premier League winners medal then you have one of the best performing players in the world coming to your club.

The awards don’t lie.

## PRO – His ability to create for others around him

![mahrez8](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/mahrez8.jpg)

As well as a huge haul of 18 goals, Mahrez’s ability to create for his team-mates was arguably the biggest factor in Leicester City’s Premier League success last season.

Whether it was cutting in from the flank, an excellent dead-ball ability or even his vision to play an intelligent pass- he was a dream for the likes of Jamie Vardy, who just fed of his creativity for the entirety of the season.

Imagine a player like Mahrez linking up with the likes of Cazorla, Sanchez, Ozil and Girioud. That is some serious creativity.

## CON – Could it have been a one-season wonder?

![Mahrez](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Mahrez.jpg)

This is a suggestion that has been thrown from pillar to post this summer, and many punters here in the Tavern have questioned whether Mahrez’s stunning display last season was just a result of one great season.

He only managed seven goals in the two seasons before that for the Foxes, and £50million is a lot to spend on a player that has only performed to extreme levels once during his whole professional career.

Something to consider Arsenal fans.

## CON- Are there other players with better potential?

![mmmmahrez](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/4832907.jpg)

At 25-years-old, Mahrez is hitting the peak of his career, as expected. His stunning season last year was a positive reflection on his age and where he should be in the world right now, but are there other options Arsenal should be considering?

Take Munir El Haddadi for example. He’s a 20-year-old forward for Barcelona who shone once again for the Catalonians as they overcame Leicester 4-2 on Wednesday evening. [He’s been touted as “the fourth winger”](https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/24102/icc-2016/2016/08/03/26197232/munir-can-be-fourth-forward-messi-over-argentina-woes-five) for Barcelona in the Spanish press today, and he is held in seriously high regard in Spain.

Would Arsenal be better of moving for a youngster who has come from one of the best academies in the world, and who would probably cost less than Mahrez, who had one great season?

Perhaps so.