Arsenal round-up: Midfield duo next on agenda; Sanchez’s contract demands; television fixtures announced

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Arsenal will look to press ahead in the transfer market after completing the signing of Alexandre Lacazette. The Daily Mail report that they want to follow up with other targets, with Thomas Lemar and Riyad Mahrez two of the names that remain on the club’s radar.

The deal for the former is complex as Monaco have told Arsenal that the midfielder is not for sale. However, the latter could be available as he has already made it clear that he wants to leave Leicester City this summer.

It is important that the Gunners don’t take their foot off the gas in the market as they still need to bring in two or three quality players to add competition to the squad. From the two players discussed above, a move for Mahrez seems more likely. He has Premier League experience and will be easier to sign, due to his desire to leave his current club.

A deal for Lemar is possible, but it may take a ridiculous offer that is well above his true value. It is an interesting situation for Arsenal and over the coming days, it will become clearer which one is being prioritised.

Alexis Sanchez’s future remains up in the air and there will surely have to be movement on that front during the coming weeks.

The Mirror report that he is asking for an eye-watering £400,000-a-week to sign a new deal at Arsenal, which would make him the highest paid player in the Premier League. This is significantly more than the current offer on the table and it would be an incredible move from the club if they were to agree to the Chilean’s demands.

Arsenal have started to build positive momentum after the signing of Lacazette and it would be a huge statement if they were to agree a new contract with Sanchez. However, it would be a bad move to agree to these demands, as it could create unhappiness in the dressing room, as he would be paid a lot more than the rest of the squad.

Furthermore, it would put a financial strain on the club’s wage budget as that is a lot of money to pay to one player, regardless of his importance to the team.

The excitement ahead of the new season is beginning to build after the television fixtures were announced. Arsenal will kick off the season on Friday night as they host Leicester City and that will be shown by Sky Sports.

Their matches against Stoke City, Liverpool, Chelsea and West Brom will also be televised, which means that Gunners’ fans will get plenty of opportunities to see how their side is shaping up against the rest of the league.

It will be odd to have a Premier League season start on a Friday night and that brings extra pressure for Arsenal, as the eyes of the country will be on the Emirates Stadium. They need to deliver a strong performance to start their season and move on from the disappointment of last year.

It will be a tough fixture for them, as Leicester are a good side, but they will be confident that they can start their campaign with a win.

Featured image: All rights reserved by Alex Hannam