Arsenal: Lucas Perez Departure Confusing And Yet Predictable

Lucas Perez is reportedly interested in leaving Arsenal in search of regular football. It is a predictable statement but one that is nonetheless confusing.

The Arsenal squad is as competitive as it has been for many many years. Perhaps not since the days of the Invincibles has Arsene Wenger has had much variety and quality deep into his reserves. Each and every week, the bench is often stacked with talent.

While the on-paper ability has not transpired into successful results – this is primarily because of a crumbling mentality, but that is a different article altogether – there are many talented players in the squad who are deserving of more than the late-game cameos that they are currently receiving.

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Olivier Giroud is someone who may feel that he is not being utilised as greatly as his recent goalscoring success merits. Danny Welbeck is another, whose sharp performances since returning from injury have not yet forged a regular, starting role. Mohamed Elneny has been overlooked all year long at the crowded central midfield position. One of the most frustrated reserve players currently, though, is latest signing Lucas Perez.

Despite a multitude of niggling injuries and settling down issues curtailing the opening part of his career in England, Perez has since shown a subtle first touch, intelligent movement and an incisive and consistent end product that many of his teammates cannot match. Playing in both a central and wide role, the Spaniard has impressed many, including myself. But not Wenger.

Perez has played limited minutes at best, given late cameos when the game is over and rarely trusted to start, especially in his favoured spearheading role. As such, while the £17 million man is acutely aware of the internal competition that Arsenal’s squad boasts, he is becoming frustrated with the lack of game time on offer and may look to a new club in the summer, according to a report from Goal.com.

His exit, if Wenger does indeed to grant his wishes and a buyer who is willing to pony up the cash is found, would be very confusing and wholly predictable. Confusing because of the talent that he has shown in flashes. Predictable because that’s all he’s had to enjoy; flashes.

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Perez, then, like many Arsenal attackers before him, is a victim of Wenger’s obsessive hoarding of technically gifted, intelligent, forward-thinking players. The former Deportivo striker merits more opportunity but Wenger is seemingly unwilling to give it to him. As such, to leave is the only option. Predictable, really.

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