Riyad Mahrez has shed light on Arsenal’s supposed bid last summer and claims that he reckons he made the right choice by staying at Leicester City.
The winger, who won Player of the Season for the Foxes’ title winning term, was reportedly on Arsenal’s shopping list but although Arsene Wenger appeared coy over the whole affair, we’re pretty sure there was no actual bid made.
Now, Mahrez has confirmed contact (note: ‘contact’ not ‘bid’) during the summer but Leicester wanted to keep him and since he didn’t want to cause ‘conflict’, he stayed.
“There was contact with Arsenal,” the Algeria international told Canal Football Club.
“But Leicester wanted to keep me and I was pretty expensive.
“I did not want to create a conflict when the offer came in.”
He added, “Personally, I think it is a good thing I stayed put.
“It’s now up to me to prove myself again.”
Although I’m aware that I probably sound like a jilted lover, I don’t see how we would have been any better off with him in the side right now. I was singing from a very different hymn sheet back in the summer. However, Theo Walcott’s sudden leap in form has me wondering where either play would be if we’d signed Mahrez.
So far, the 25-year-old has scored three goals in 10 appearances in all competitions but it’s uncertain whether he can replicate his form from last season. Will he regret his decision long term? We’ll have to see.