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Riyad Mahrez laments failed transfer to Arsenal in 2016

:Headline: Riyad Mahrez laments failed transfer to Arsenal in 2016: ID:378663: from db_amp
Riyad Mahrez opens up about how a move to Arsenal was "nearly all done" following Leicester City's Premier League triumph in 2016.

Riyad Mahrez has opened up about how a move to Arsenal was "nearly all done" following Leicester City's Premier League triumph in 2016.

The Algeria international was heavily linked with a move away having played a crucial role in the Foxes winning the title, scoring 17 goals in 37 league appearances over the 2015-16 campaign.

Two summers later, Mahrez was finally granted his move, joining Manchester City for a fee of £60m ahead of last season.

Speaking in an interview with France Football, Mahrez said: "After the title, if I'd left for a top team, it wouldn't have been the same story.

"For me, it's clear that I lost two years at the highest level. I lost two years! Because instead of arriving at City at 27, I could have been there at 24, 25. Leicester blocked me. They told me: 'You're not leaving, you're not leaving'.

"My agent had spoken to [Arsene] Wenger who really wanted me. It was nearly all done with Arsenal in 2016. I was really frustrated. It wasn't easy to go from being the best player in the Premier League to being a part of a team fighting against relegation. It's not the same job. Everyone is waiting for you around the corner."

N'Golo Kante, one of the stars of Leicester's triumphant campaign, was granted a move to Chelsea very soon after the club lifted the title in 2016.

Mahrez finds himself playing catch-up with his former club after Leicester's 2-0 win over Arsenal on Saturday took the Midlands side up to second in the Premier League table.

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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1210112481631
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Fulham125341717018
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle125341313018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd124441313016
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham124351519-415
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Ipswich TownIpswich121651323-109
19Crystal Palace121561017-78
20Southampton121110924-154
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