Arsenal fans would probably quite fancy having Dimitri Payet on their books right now.
Payet hasn't just been West Ham's star of the season. He's been one of the stars of the Premier League, full stop. Assists, goals, belting free-kicks, power, strength… he's the sort of player most Gooners would love to see at The Emirates.
Which is why many of them were a little annoyed when they heard Arsene Wenger's latest comments about his fellow Frenchman.
“I have known him for a long, long time,” Wenger said when asked about Payet in his press conference ahead of West Ham vs Arsenal. “When he played at St Etienne, he was there for a few years and we watched him many times. He has all the attributes to be a top, top player and he is that.
“He is 29 years old already, but this season he has matured a lot as he has come back into the national team when he looked to be out. That shows he has been much more consistent. He has always had top talent, even when in periods he has been a bit up and down."
Translation?
Wenger didn't believe Payet was consistent enough to come to Arsenal.
"Fair enough," some of you might say. "After all, Payet only really come good this season."
Except that's simply not true. As his figures for goals and assists prove, Payet has been consistently producing the goods for at least the last SIX seasons:
Dimitri Payet: goals and assists combined
2015/16 (West Ham)
17*
2014/15 (Marseille)
24
2013/14 (Marseille)
14
*and counting
2012/13 (Lille)
25
2011/12 (Lille)
12
2010/11 (St Etienne)
16
