Arsenal: Arsene Wenger Must Get Out Of Lucas Perez’s Way

Lucas Perez is beginning to come to the boil. Arsene Wenger must not inhibit his momentum by dropping him for Arsenal’s weekend trip to Swansea.

Arsene Wenger has quietly, efficiently and effectively assembled a squad of deep and varied options. While some will lament the meagre choices that are available to him in central midfield areas, injuries and an untimely African Cup of Nations can take the blame for Arsenal’s shortage.

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There are many positions which are overfilling with a multitude of players. Centre-half, after being a position of great weakness for over a decade is a now a huge strength of the squad – so much so that Wenger is even considering loaning out club captain and former stalwart Per Mertesacker – as is between the sticks.

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Another area of blessing is in wide areas. Although it must be stated that none are incredible talents, deserving of an entrenched role in the starting line (if Alexis Sanchez is considered a central striker), Wenger still has regular big decisions to make, wading his way through the many wide options.

Theo Walcott has been his recent star. However, a recent calf injury has forced him to the sidelines for the past few weeks and a rotation between Alex Iwobi, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Lucas Perez has been Wenger’s chosen policy to replace the winger. Neither Iwobi nor Chamberlain have proven their consistent quality. They may flash wonderful ability, especially when they are direct, dangerous in their commitment to dribbling at opposing defenders, but they lack the necessary persistence, dependability and steadiness to excel throughout a long and arduous season.

Perez, on the other hand, is beginning to come to life. After being signed in the summer for £17 million, the Spaniard is yet to find his feet in the Premier League, struggling with the unique pace and intensity that English football boasts. In a late cameo against Bournemouth, Perez scored a sumptuous volley, firing with a wicked left-foot strike past the outstretched Artur Boruc, and he then backed up that performance with a solid start in the win over Preston last weekend, including a sublime backheel to set up Olivier Giroud for the late winner.

Now, to the Liberty Stadium to face a struggling Swansea City side. In the midst of some blossoming form, Wenger must not get in the way of Perez’s building momentum by rotating Iwobi and Chamberlain with the Spaniard.

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Perez is deserving of a run of starts as he attempts to vindicate Wenger’s summer investment. It would be detrimental to scupper his attempts by intermittently dropping him and starting him while still expecting a high standard of performance. Perez has shown glimpses of talent on a relatively consistent basis. Now is the time to see if he can extend success over a small sample size into the long-term.