Reported Arsenal target, Riyad Mahrez has signed a new deal with Leicester City according ESPNFC (via an official report from Leicester City).
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After all, France Football journalist Nabil Djellit, who interviewed Riyad Mahrez last week and who has had a close relationship with the Algerian worldwide since his days at Le Havre, reaffirmed last night that Arsenal did pursue the player.
Mahrez had been linked with a move to Arsenal earlier this summer, though Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri has been confident the Algerian would stay with the Foxes.
“We have very good players”.
Arsenal haven’t lost their opening two league games since the inaugural Premier League season in 1992/93. We’ve had an fantastic season and it was important to keep the players, and the same spirit.
“We spoke together last season and in pre-season and he told me he wanted to stay”.
“I’ve achieved good things with this club”, Mahrez added.
Ben Jacobs is ESPN FC’s Leicester City blogger. Perhaps the reason Mahrez has now signed a contract extension is because nobody did.
Asked about that report, Mahrez said: “I don’t think about [the tabloids] too much”. “It’s important for me because he gives me a lot of confidence and responsibility”.
In one sense, Arsenal are yet to recover.
The 66-year-old Wenger said he may be tempted to take the gamble of reintroducing Koscielny into the side while revealing both Aaron Ramsey and Alex Iwobi face three weeks out after picking up knocks against Liverpool. There are players that will score and there are players that will defend, but in the end it’s for the team. “That is finished and now we need to focus on this season”.
Following opening-day defeats, champions Leicester City and Arsenal, last season’s Premier League top two, will be desperate to get their campaigns in gear at the King Power Stadium tomorrow.
“You are absolutely convinced that I do not want to spend the money, but I reassure you we are ready to spend the money”, he said.
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LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 07: Riyad Mahrez of Leicester City reacts prior to The FA Community Shield match between Leicester City and Manchester United at Wembley Stadium on August 7, 2016 in London, England.
