Mario Lemina put in a man of the match display for Southampton against Crystal Palace (Picture: Getty)
Mario Lemina put in a man of the match display for Southampton against Crystal Palace (Picture: Getty)

Mario Lemina was not a name that set many pulses racing when he was linked with Arsenal in the summer, but his performance against Crystal Palace on Saturday left many Gooners questioning why Arsene Wenger passed up the opportunity to sign him.

The Gabon international was deemed surplus to the requirements of Max Allegri at Juventus after the Italian champions secured the services of Blaise Matuidi from Paris Saint-Germain.

Lemina failed to nail down a starting berth during his two years in Turin but looks set to form an integral part of a Southampton midfield that ensured Crystal Palace endured another miserable afternoon at Selhurst Park.

Back in the summer he spoke of his delight at being linked with Arsenal, saying: Arsenal? ‘Of course those links flatter me, but personally I’ve never doubted my qualities.

‘I’m at a very big club now but I haven’t been able to show my qualities at that level, so it’s flattering that big clubs are showing up.’

Wenger’s decision to pass up on the chance to sign Lemina already looks like a questionable one, especially given the way in which his own midfield was torn to ribbons during last month’s defeat at Anfield, and may Arsenal fans were left wondering why Southampton were allowed to sign the player uncontested…

MORE : Eden Hazard warms-up for Arsenal showdown by scoring awesome goal in Chelsea training