Arsene Wenger says Lucas Perez has all the qualities needed to succeed at Arsenal but he still has to come to terms with the physicality of life in England.
The Spaniard staked his claim for a starting berth against Stoke by netting a hat-trick for the Gunners in Tuesday’s 4-1 win over Basel, his first goals since a brace against Nottingham Forest in September.
Reflecting on the performance, Wenger noted that being clinical in front of goal will help Lucas build confidence after an injury-interrupted start to life at the Emirates.
“He needed that, because when you come with a big transfer to a club like Arsenal, it is never easy when you are not involved and then injured straight away,” Wenger told Arsenal Player.
“I believe he is a guy who has all the qualities you want, he is quick, he has good stamina, can repeat, has high energy, a very good finisher, so overall he has it all in the locker.
“In front of goal he is a killer, he has a short backlift and is a good finisher. You could see that on the third goal in Basel.
“He must adapt to the intensity of the fight in the duels in England. If he manages to do that, he will be a great asset for us.”
There’s more to come from Lucas. He shows it every time he plays. I think he’ll adapt just fine, given enough time fit!
So not starting against stoke then..
think he should start ahead of Theo
No harm in resting Walcott for a week, he’s played more games than normally does so far this season, then start him on Tuesday against Everton.
Off-topic:
Stillberto’s columns are some of the best you will ever read about football(arsenal) analysis. Go read them!
I always look forward to his musings.
Killa Perez has a nice ring to it
The lad will come good for us. He has the poacher instinct with him in front of goal. The season is still long- he will definitely be involved in our chase for trophies.COYG!
Wenger loves a short back lift..
Can someone explain to me what that means
It means he can generate a lot of force/speed into shots within a short distance, essentially minimal movement between foot and ball for maximum power, which is a fantastic asset for a striker when you either a/ don’t want to telegraph your intentions to the opposing defence and keeper b/ have to re-act quickly and take a snap shot.
I checked and saw images of some garment to lift female butts under a dress. Why does Perez bring his girlfirend’s short backlift to the dressing room ? Wenger said he has one.
“He must adapt to the intensity of the fight in the duels in England. If he manages to do that, he will be a great asset for us”
There you have it: those wondering why he doesn’t seem to celebrate (explicitly) his goals – he is just conserving energy. 🙂
Could have been Jamie Vardy
…….
Our system of playing will always make good players better. With the stability we now have with players any addition will only compliment the whole….upwards to bigger things with reasonable hope.
As I’ve said before, plenty of people as per usual getting over carried away with performance of the moment. Just because Lucas knocks 3 past Basel does not mean he will repeat it the next week. Just because Walcott was quiet doesn’t mean he won’t come up with the goods this week. Its nonsense to think like that. Suddenly, Theo was flavour of the moment when he was knocking it in and now its swung the other way again. This is where professionals like Wenger earn their keep and the general amateur too easily swayed by only whats in front… Read more »
Reminds me of Eduardo
Best not play him against a team like Stoke then.
10 times better than Francis Jeffers aka ‘The Fuck in the Box ‘
This just in .. “Short backlift” to be nominated as phrase of the year by Oxford dictionary