It is a truth universally acknowledged in Premier League folklore that Mahrez could have worn red and white but instead painted English football sky blue. Before he dazzled at Manchester City, Mahrez was a whisker away from joining Arsenal in 2016—a move that, in true Gunners fashion, crumbled like a dodgy hamstring in December.
The Algerian winger, fresh off a PFA Player of the Year award and a Premier League title with Leicester City, had Arsène Wenger ready to roll out the red carpet. Instead, Leicester’s board slammed the transfer window shut and double-bolted it for good measure. Mahrez, in his own words, “lost two years” waiting for his big move.
Mahrez and the Frustration of Missed Chances
By the time Manchester City finally secured Mahrez’s signature in 2018, he had stewed long enough to turn even the calmest professional into a transfer market philosopher. Imagine Mahrez ghosting past defenders at the Emirates rather than the Etihad—it’s a scenario that might have spared Arsenal fans from many a fourth-place heartbreak and Europa League reruns.
Mahrez at Manchester City: Better Late Than Never
But let’s not weep into our vintage Highbury scarves. Mahrez at Manchester City was box office. 236 appearances. 78 goals. 59 assists. 10 trophies. If Pep Guardiola’s City was a Michelin-starred kitchen, Mahrez was the flamboyant sous-chef tossing in spice when things got bland. His dribbles confounded defenders, and his left foot curled more shots than a seasoned barista frothing milk.
His Legacy: A Case of What-Ifs and What-A-Players
While Arsenal fans might still sigh at the Mahrez-shaped hole that never was, City supporters toasted his genius from the Etihad terraces. Riyad didn’t just join a team; he joined a dynasty. And if there’s one thing clear—whether it was North London or Manchester—the man knew how to light up a pitch.
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