Arsenal are on the verge of signing Riyad Mahrez from Leicester City this summer. Where would he fit in the starting line-up?

The answer to that question would depend on how Arsenal choose to line-up next season. Arsenal have used a 4-2-3-1 for a number of years but, due to extraordinary circumstances, ended last season playing a 3-4-2-1.

Mahrez, a right-winger who could also play behind the striker, would undoubtedly play in that attacking line behind the striker, but where and at whose expense differs depending on if we’re playing with three attacking-midfielders or two.

In a 4-2-3-1, Mahrez would naturally slot in as the right winger at the expense of Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. With Mesut Ozil in the centre and Alexis Sanchez on the left, Mahrez could be a part of a very dangerous trio. He would give Arsenal a very different option on that side, as his best work is usually done on the edge of the opposition penalty area, as opposed to Walcott who’s at his best inside of it, or Chamberlain who does well going towards the byline.

In the event of injury, or if the team needs some tactical tweaks, Mahrez could also play on the left hand side or in the middle instead of Alex Iwobi, which would allow one of Walcott or Oxlade-Chamberlain to come back into the team.

In a 3-4-2-1, it becomes more complicated. Assuming Ozil and Alexis form the two behind the striker, Mahrez would have to be on the bench. There’s the option of playing Alexis up front and pairing up Ozil and Mahrez behind him, but that would leave the likes of Alexandre Lacazette without a place in the starting eleven.

Whichever system we use, Mahrez’s arrival would be bad news for Theo Walcott.

While the likes of Iwobi and Chamberlain are versatile enough to play in multiple positions, Walcott can only play on the right flank or, in emergencies, up front. It would mean he’d be in direct competition with Mahrez, who would add more flair and creativity to the team while still being a goal threat.