The Arsenal fans in the Transfer Tavern are very excited by reports linking the club with a big January move. The Gunners failed to invest as much as most fans would have hoped over the summer, and that has certainly affected their form in the Premier League, but things could yet turn around.

According to the Evening Standard, Arsenal remain in the race for Monaco attacker Thomas Lemar, though it won’t be easy. Chelsea could apparently have the edge given their connection with Monaco director Michael Emenalo, and so Arsenal will have their work cut out to land the deal.

Rated at £27 million by Transfer Markt, Lemar would be a worthy investment. He’s a remarkable talent, offering pace, technique and quality in front of goal, and he could be just what Arsenal need this year.

It’s certainly looking set to be quite the race for him, but Arsenal simply have got to win the battle come January. Here are TWO reasons why…

 Future

Everyone knows how good Thomas Lemar is right now, but a particularly enticing note about the prospect of signing him is by looking at what he could become.

At 22-years-old, he’s not yet at his peak, and if the last few years are anything to go by, he could genuinely turn into a European great.

Arsene Wenger needs to start planning for the future, and that means buying young players. Lemar would be a great option for this season, of course, but he would be even better over the next few years.

 Alexis Sanchez

Alexis Sanchez is just one player, but he’s significant enough to warrant a major discussion.

His future is looking uncertain, and at present, he looks set for the exit door when his contract expires. Arsenal will need a player of his quality to replace him if he does leave, and Lemar definitely fits the bill.

He’d be a natural replacement on the pitch, but he’d also replace the star power left behind by Sanchez, and that’s equally as important for the Gunners.

They need to replace a big name with another big name, and if Sanchez goes, Lemar must come in.