After scoring his 7th goal of the season from just 9 starts, Arsene Wenger has admitted that Lucas Perez deserves more of a chance at Arsenal.
The Spanish striker has been very much a bit-part player this season, despite producing something or being involved in a goal almost every game he plays in.
Asked after last night’s 2-0 win over Sutton if he merited more playing time, the Arsenal manager said, “Yes, he is pushing on the door but I have many strikers. I have Giroud, Welbeck, Walcott, Alexis and Lucas.
“It is true that he deserves a go because he scores goals and is a good player.”
Yesterday, the former Deportivo man’s agent denied giving an interview to Italian website CalcioMercato in which he said that the player wanted to leave Arsenal ‘at all costs’.
If Perez is unhappy though, it would be no surprise. From a senior role at his hometown club last season, he’s struggled to force his way into Arsene Wenger’s reckoning on a regular basis.
However, another goal, and a performance which saw him stand out on a night that very few of his teammates did, may well give the manager some pause for thought.
Needs to play every game for the rest of the season bar none. Drop Iwobi.
Welbeck Giroud Lucas
has more goals in it than
Iwobi Sanchez Walcott
—-
iwobi tho is playing out of position and could interchange with Ozil in the 10 role.
I think Lucas is most effective at central striker and provides a good balance of what Sanchez and Giroud do. Really like his movement and of course his finishing ability and looking to be positive with the ball either on the dribble or with the one touches.
Absolutely and I cannot understand iwobi established first team and ran like chicken. Good for the future but not first team player in any top 6 club in Europe.
I agree iwobi is to green and inexperienced. He has been a liability in many games
Where is all this iwobi hate coming from. One of the brightest spots of this season.
Fucks sake.
Exactly. He’s struggling for form, but some of stuff people are saying is way OTT.
I expected better from regular users of The Internet.
It’s been a hallmark of Wenger’s last decade.
Playing guys that are out of form or inexperienced until fans become frustrated with the player instead of the coach selecting them.
haha
He deserves A go. He does not deserves To go.
He should definitely be a starter ahead of either Iwobi or Walcott on current form.
the words ‘no’, ‘shit’ and ‘Sherlock’ come to mind.
Took the words out of my mouth!
Yeah, agreed. At times I have no idea how he has missed out over Iwobi, who has been really out of form since about October/November. For me he definitely has a case to start over Walcott, Iwobi and The Ox out wide. Across any of those front 3 positions he looks so dangerous and he really does contribute a lot offensively.
Correct. Not only has he looked dangerous every single time he plays, he’s got results with goals and assists. The team is generally under performing. With this in mind, what more does the bloke need to do to get a few games? What do we have to lose?
He is a better player then Iwobi, Walcott and Chamberlain. I genuinely dont know how he isnt getting more games.
Hopefully in that order, otherwise you might have “shit no Sherlock” which I don’t think Wenger is predisposed to doing, considering his anus size probably isn’t large enough to comfortably shit out an entire fictional detective.
Or “Sherlock no shit” which is a weird and grammatically incorrect way of saying Sherlock doesn’t defecate, whether because he’s superhuman or just constipated, and has no bearing whatsoever on Wenger or Lucas Perez.
I do believe there’s no smoke without fire and that he is unsettled at the club, he cut a pretty disgruntled figure at times last night. It should’ve happened sooner but at least it looks like he’s going to be given a few more starts to appease him.
Agree. But it should never have been (or be) about giving him a “few more starts to appease him”. He has deserved to start more on performances alone, & that cannot always be said about other members of the squad. Think our squad line up is far to predictable far too often (injuries aside). Also believe that makes us far too easy to plan against. We indeed have many strikers (Giroud, Welbeck, Walcott, Alexis and Lucas). Would have loved to have seen us start more often with perhaps an option B then move to option A if the game meritted… Read more »
Totally agree mate. He’s deserved more opportunities for a long time now. When I spoke about appeasement it was more from Wenger’s comments. It just seems like he might be saying that he’ll play more to appease him over because he wants to start him.
There was a point in Dec-Jan when both Giroud and Lucas were doing really well whenever given a chance, and even though almost every sound tactical mind I know opined that Giroud should nevertheless NOT get the starting nod again based on those performances, Wenger chose him and Iwobi and Theo over Lucas again and again. I love and appreciate all of those players but only one of them seems to have the combination of pace, experience, intelligence and end product, at least from the small sample size we’ve seen. And we desperately need another forward that has that combination… Read more »
Hey Arsene I have a way to solve this particular issue.
Lucas is extremely dangerous and unpredictable near the box. Offensively he is by far the most efficient player in this squad. If he improves his link-up play and passing he is a starter for me. From what I have seen so far he usually combines well with other strikers but not so much with the midfielders.
That may say more about our midfielders than him. He almost always makes the right decision and then executes well. Smart and skilled player.
Alexis may disagree with regards to Lucas being the most efficient player by far (and most unpredictable one) but I know what you mean.
Saying he has many strikers is only half the answer if some of them don’t contribute regularly or not enough.
He only ever used Alexis Giroud and Walcott regularly until now. Admittedly for more or less good reason. Time to give Lucas and Wellbeck the chance to prove themselves. Alexis, Wellbeck, Lucas would be ideal against Liverpool,in my opinion.
Alexis and Lucas are similar but Lucas is Alexis minus showboating and left footed. Having said that no one can match the work rate of Alexis.The issue with playing Lucas,Alexis and Ozil is that they have a tendency to lose possession and consequently give away counter attacks owing to their style of play. Also, since Alexis is a big name player the midfielders automatically trust him. Lucas has to cope with the fact that he is a squad player. I think if he keeps performing at the same level whenever he gets his chances he will win the trust of… Read more »
If he improves his passing and link up play he won’t be shooting and scoring as much . That’s what we have been doing….passing and linking.
Welbeck.. Sanchez.. Perez..Ozil.. this should be our attacking line up. The Ox, Walcott just simply don’t suit our style I’m afraid, although they are good players they hinder our fluidity, don’t get me wrong they do some good stuff, but I think if they were replaced with players of a similar ilk to Perez it would benefit us wholly. The days of Hleb, Rosicky, RVP, Cesc, Nasri were pretty baren trophy-wise (more down to the defence / poor DM in my opinion) but going forward we would cut any team open with the clever movement and precise passing in the… Read more »
Get him in the team Arsene ffs
Well said Micko.
Sanchez left Welbeck middle and Perez right. Seems to be our most mobile and hard working front 3.
I would be happy with this lineup
Would be happy to see a front line of Welbeck Sanchez and Perez for the rest of the season. Walcott and Oxlade-Chamberlain really haven’t convinced against the better teams offensively. Iwobi is still learning the game.
Of course, Walcott has scored against Liverpool, Chelsea, City…
Stop it. It’s not convenient and doesn’t suit the agenda.
Wenger admitted he only bought Perez because he wasnt sure how long welbz would be out for but if hes not going to play him on his merits and his obvious stats then maybe Wenger is short sited on the teams strengths
Wenger short sited on the teams strengths? What ever brought you to that conclusion?!
Deserves a chance? Well give it to him then. Sorted.
The number of games he has had without imposing himself on the pitch and the lack of of real desire to score is the reason why he hasn’t played more. He is not at his best on the flanks, and not good enough for a lone striker. But he is definitely an Arsenal type of player with the build up play around the box. I like him but he needs to be beter against better opposition when he plays
Really? He’s a stone cold killer.
He is not an “Arsenal type” player. I think he is better than the “types” we have and have had before. He is hungry, aggressive and determined with a never say die attitude like Alexis who is also not an “Arsenal type” Very valuable player not utilised
C’mon Wenger, give him a go (at right back)
We could play him up with Alexis and someone else on the wings. Alexis is good as a striker but when he plays there we usually start Iwobi who is still raw both defensively and offensively. Alexis also usually has a good understanding with monreal.
He deserves a go but I’d like to see him given a go up front, not out wide. Looks far more like a striker than a winger to me
Comment:Perez would’ve been one of the best player in the current squad, but how could he be when he has not been used often. Iwobi, OX & Walcott are not better than him, so he should be given the opportunity to prove himself as a player.
Sanchez, Welby & Perez should be the 3 front men why because they three can play on the flank and in central.
where are all these love for welbec coming from? what has been his goals/assist statistic since 2006 when he started his professional career? And you guys prefer that over a 15 goals winger? welbec and alexis cannot run behind defence and am afraid the line up of welbec, alexis perez will be too predictable. No one to move off the ball. Have you guys forgotten so soon that it is the return of walcott from injury that allows your darling player of the season to return to top nine position? And welbec who has only work rate to show should… Read more »
You are not making any sense with your post.
You have loss your thinking faculty rather. Tell me comprehensively with your 10 years walcott narrative why welbec is the better? He had been in arsenal since 2014? He started professional career in 2006. what has he really done for the preference over a loyalist of the club who did not go along with nasri, fabregas, clichy in his best years for us and the player who had scored against top team. Double standard person like you is the reason the world will continue to grow from bad to worse.
Wenger is just wasting Lucus, exact thing he did to Podosky now he is doing again.Wenger should just gooooooo:Arsenal deserves atrophy.
Magnificent grammatical error here
We’ll waste away with Wenger at the helm, Walter knows.
I jest, I jest. In all seriousness, it should be a meritocracy but far too often it’s not. Lucas has done more than enough to warrant a run in the 11
Halley fookin’ Lou Ja. He’s obviously, as said by many above, a dangerous attacker. Runs in behind, can use width, and has shown he’s got both a final ball and deadly finish. He seems to play a decent ‘false nine’ role, if that is something that can work with our formation, but I’ve liked his ability to use space just fine on the wing. Defending is the extra burden there, but he works hard. I really like Welbeck, but he’s surely not at 90 regularly yet and it takes a good while to get knee confidence back. Next season see… Read more »
You make a lot of points and I agree with them all.
Getting the Joel Campbell treatment and he’s a much better player. Wenger clearly isn’t a fan. No reason why he shouldn’t have started more games
Joel Campbell! There’s a blast from the past! Wonder how he’s getting on. And if he’ll bother coming back… he really deserved better.
Perez definitely deserves his place in the team. Too many lame ducks in the side how on earth does Gabriel get a place. Rubbish player.
Theo has scored against Liverpool, city and Chelsea. And is in double figures. Is tracking back well for the most part. I don’t get why he’s getting singled out. Iwobi is a very good player who he could maybe interchange with and Alexis is Alexis. I would have Danny in ahead of lucas.
Theo loses the ball pretty much every… single… time… he gets it. Sometimes all by himself Not saying he isn’t good; just frustrating at times.
Iwobi is still raw and it’s generally accepted his best position is No.10 rather than on the left.
Welbeck could play… get this… WITH Lucas. But if it was either or, Lucas first on the basis that he hasn’t just been out for almost a year. And his returns in the games he *has* played.
My front 3 to start would be Perez welbeck sanchez with Walcott giroud on the bench. Then rotate. Walcott giroud.
It’s been a fucking mystery why Walcott is ahead of Perez. One is a lucky sprinter (don’t give me 100 goals!) and one is a proper footballer.
If I’d had the chances over ten years that Walcotts has had, I would have scored a100 goals!!
he deserves a go over Walcott
If Lucas continues with his goals to games ratio then the sky is the limit. Yes give him a go!
Besides Lucas, I thought Granit had an excellent controlled game. He made 85% pass completion and kept us in good control. If he can curb his enthusiasm in the games to come, he will be very instrumental in dictating the pace of our game. Also Mustafi was again solid throughout. HIs critics have to remember Koscielny first season, reds, own goals and penalties conceded galore. Mustafi has made some rash passes trying to transition us quick from deep (particularly in Granit’s absence) but largely, he has been more than sensible defending as is young Holding. Largely, I would say it… Read more »
And what does any of that have to do with the article? Don’t be a thread jacker.
The mystery for me is Iwobi. I understand the guy’s got ( some ) potential but Lucas is way ahead in skill, ability and technical knowhow. Would even play him above Ozil.
It really will be odd Lucas continues to be a bit part player.