Arsenal: Arsene Wenger Lucas Perez Excuse Does Not Stand Up To Scrutiny

Arsene Wenger has reasoned Lucas Perez’s lack of playing time by the competition in the Arsenal squad. However, under scrutiny, the excuse does not stand up.

Arsenal’s unconvincing win over Sutton United in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Monday night brought about many intriguing conclusions. The blossoming development of Rob Holding. The madness of David Ospina and the continued progression of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in central midfield.

However, perhaps no one made as significant a claim for further starts in the future than Lucas Perez. Playing in his most natural role as a central striker, Perez was relentless in his movement off the ball. He stretched the pitch, continually running the channels, showed a subtle first touch and linked up with Theo Walcott particularly well.

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He has put in a string of excellent performances consecutively now, and there has been growing pressure for the Spaniard to be given more game time. Arsene Wenger is acutely aware of the fanbases yearning. In an interview after the win over Sutton, Wenger revealed that he is aware that Perez is deserving of more opportunities, but also tempered expectations due to great competition in the squad:

"“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.”"

However, Wenger’s reasons feel more like an excuse than a valid reason. Let’s take each player that he refers to individually and see whether Perez should start ahead of them or not. The first to consider is Alexis Sanchez. The Chilean is the first name on the teamsheet and Perez will never beat him out, however hard he may try.

Nonetheless, if Sanchez is deployed as the central striker, then there are still two wide roles to compete for. Danny Welbeck is still easing his way back into contention after an extended absence, Theo Walcott has been inconsistent since returning from his own injury issues, while Olivier Giroud can only be stationed centrally. Add to this the terrible performances of Alex Iwobi of late, and, while there is competition in numbers in the Arsenal squad, the quality does not match that of Perez’s recent displays.

Next: 5 Transfers That Can Help Cover Alexis Sanchez Exit

It is, therefore, difficult to see why he has seen his game time restricted as heavily as it has been. Wenger may spout the reason of competition but, under scrutiny, it simply doesn’t stand up. It’s time for Perez to be given the keys to the car and drive this team forward for the remainder of the season.

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