Riyad Mahrez: Man City Ace Recalls Day He Almost Joined Arsenal

• Riyad Mahrez was among the most in-demand players in 2016 after he helped Leicester win the Premier League title
• According to the Algerian, Arsenal came close to signing him at the time, only for the Foxes to block the transfer
• Mahrez eventually joined Man City, where he has gone on to win several titles, including the Champions League

Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez has revealed that he was close to joining Arsenal at one point in his career.

Mahrez has enjoyed a brilliant football career, with much of his success coming in the Premier League with Leicester City and Manchester City.

The Algerian ace was part of Leicester's squad that beat all the odds to win the Premier League title back in 2016.

His role in the Foxes' triumph earned him a dream move to Man City, where he has spent more than five years.

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According to The Mirror, Mahrez is once again the subject of transfer speculation, with the winger linked with a sensational summer move to Saudi Arabia with Al-Ahli.

Mahrez was close to Arsenal move

Recently, the Algeria international reflected on his Premier League tenure and disclosed he was close to sealing a move to Arsenal shortly after he had won the EPL with Leicester.

According to the treble winner, Arsene Wenger, who was the then Gunners boss was desperate to secure his services, but the Foxes stood in his way.

"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," Mahrez disclosed to Football London.

"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," he added.