Aïssa Mandi has carved out a place at the top level through sheer determination and character. His journey to the professional ranks was far from guaranteed, lacking innate talent and requiring relentless effort. The 23-year-old defender, on his way to the World Cup with the Algerian national team, is reportedly on Arsenal’s radar.
Much like Serge Aurier, another Algerian defender from Stade de Reims, Mandi is seen as a potential replacement for Bacary Sagna, who is set to join Manchester City. According to reports from dzfoot.com, Mandi is among the names on Arsenal’s shortlist.
Known for recruiting young talents relatively unknown in the French league, Arsène Wenger is reportedly eyeing Mandi to bolster his defensive options, especially with Sagna’s departure. While Mandi is praised for his tackling and interception abilities, he is considered less offensive compared to another Arsenal target, Serge Aurier. Currently, the most likely destination for the young Algerian international appears to be Lyon.
Tags: Aïssa Mandi, Arsenal, France, Serge Aurier, Toulouse