Arsenal Transfer Rumors: Andre Silva A Long Term Lucas Perez Do-Over

Arsenal may have gone beyond repair with Lucas Perez, but signing Andre Silva would work like a a long-term do-over at striker.

The whole Arsenal and Lucas Perez situation just keeps getting muddier. We only know one thing for sure and that’s that Lucas is not playing as much as he should and he is well aware of this fact. Meanwhile Wenger keeps relying on inconsistent options like Alex Iwobi and Theo Walcott.

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Lucas may or may not want to leave, with an emphasis on the “not”. Which is such a huge opportunity missed given how special he has looked when he has been given a fighting chance. His goal production rate is incredibly solid and far and away better than Alex Iwobi, yet he has played less than half the minutes of the young Nigerian.

Which may seem to eliminate all hope that Wenger would bother with a new striker for next season, but assuming Lucas leaves, there maybe a need after all.

Apparently the Gunners had scouts yet again checking out Porto striker Andre Silva, who has been linked to North London for a couple years now.

At 21 years of age, it’s just a matter of time before he rises into the international football spotlight. This year alone he has knocked home 17 goals in about 2300 minutes.

But Silva does more than that, as his six assists can attest to. He creates a chance and a half per appearance, an impressive number for a straight up striker.

Almost as impressive as, say… Lucas Perez. Arsenal’s wantaway Spaniard spent two years at Deportivo La Coruna and contributed, on average, 1.5 chances per game and a goal contribution every 135 minutes.

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Andre Silva’s creation rate is identical and his contribution rate is even better, at a goal or assist every 105 minutes.

They play a similar game in their ability to link up play and we know that Wenger wanted Lucas for his passing ability. It fits so well into the Gunner way. It’s just that, for whatever reason, it never clicked and here we are with three months left to the season and Lucas hasn’t even notched 1000 minutes yet.

If Wenger really wants that link-up effect, than Andre Silva is that guy. He is a fantastic passer, but he is also a fighter, which is another trait that Wenger seems to be quite fond of lately.

Silva is technically gifted, smooth on the ball and everything Lucas could have been. He might even be an upgrade on a failed experiment with massive upside from his young age.

If Wenger is serious about improving his striker stock, then having a stable composed of Giroud, Welbeck and Silva (assuming Lucas does leave) is a pretty fearsome collection.

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It would also go a long way towards dulling the pain if Alexis leaves. Silva is a fighter, as mentioned, and supporters will get a lot of inspiration out of seeing him fight tooth and nail for every ball.

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