Arsenal: Lucas Perez Party Ignoring Crucial Details Of Loan
By Josh Sippie
Arsenal hasn’t really found a good place for Lucas Perez, so a loan seems logical. Yet the Spaniard may not think so, for odd reasons.
Arsenal signed Lucas Perez under the pressure of needing someone – anyone – to compete with Olivier Giroud for that starting strike position. Especially given the fact that Giroud was going to miss significant time coming back from the Euros.
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While it was Alexis Sanchez who ended up reaching out and snatching that crucial striker position and not the new Spaniard, there was still a lot of optimism that Lucas could dent the monopoly that Giroud had seemed to establish as Arsenal’s go-to – and only – striker.
That never materialized. Lucas Perez has fallen into the position of being the third choice striker, meaning that aside from rare substitution duties, he isn’t going to have a lot to do. Even in secondary competitions, the role goes to Olivier Giroud until something changes.
That being said, something could very well change. If Giroud continues being a dominant bear-man in the box every time he play, eventually he will have to start. And Alexis won’t sit (ever) he will move to the left wing.
If that happens (hopefully when), that’s when the need for another true striker will come into play. However, as it is nearly December, that means that Danny Welbeck is eyeing a return in the near future and that is probably the worst thing ever for Lucas.
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As such, rumors are swirling that a loan could be in store for the Spaniard in January. He’s been spending his time recovering at his former club anyway, so it makes sense that the idea of sending him out short term is a possibility.
The Lucas camp begs to differ, however, as his agent has spoke up and said that the only reason Lucas is not playing is because he is hurt.
Well, as of right now that is absolutely true. But it’s not like he was raking in playing time when he was healthy. He was an afterthought and that’s what lead to a ton of chatter about what exactly his purpose is.
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A loan is without a doubt not where Lucas wanted to be half a season into his Arsenal career, but you have to think practically at this point. With Welbeck returning, the competition is going to stiffen and without the chances to prove what he can do, Lucas may find himself being frozen out before he could even thaw.