Arsenal: Olivier Giroud The Final Nail In Lucas Perez Coffin

Danny Welbeck missed Arsenal’s loss to Bayern with a last minute injury. Olivier Giroud was selected over Lucas Perez. That is the final nail in his coffin.

It was yet another embarrassing European night for Arsenal and Arsene Wenger. Entering the second leg against Bayern Munich with a four-goal deficit and their primary aim merely to save face, after a promising first half display, they crumbled in the second.

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Laurent Koscielny was harshly sent off for a leaned-in shoulder on the back of the almightily impressive Robert Lewandowski. The felled Pole duly stepped up and planted the resultant penalty into the bottom corner, and then proceeded to spearhead a devastating attacking performance, in which they carved their hosts open on numerous occasions, eventually running out 5-1 winners.

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However, from an Arsenal perspective, perhaps the most ground-shaking event took place before a ball was ever kicked. Wenger had decided to play a pacy front three consisting of Alexis Sanchez, Theo Walcott and Danny Welbeck. Against a Bayern defence that can leave space on the counter, it seemed like a wise approach to take. Unfortunately, we were never allowed to see the consequences.

Welbeck suffered an injury in the warm-up and was subsequently substituted out of the squad altogether. The logical replacement, if Wenger was to be steadfast to his fluid, dynamic attacking tactic, was Spaniard Lucas Perez. He boasts the same blend of intelligent movement off of the ball, pace to threaten in behind and neat touch in tight, intricate areas.

Wenger, though, saw it differently, and started Olivier Giroud as the central striker, shifting Sanchez out to the left-hand side. That was not necessarily the wrong or right decision from Wenger. Giroud is a quality striker with a unique skillset that no one else in the squad can replicate. But it does reveal, once again, that there is a lack of trust from Wenger in the abilities of Perez.

And that is damning for the future of the £17 million signing. There have been rumours suggesting that he would like to leave North London in search of some regular first team football and, if Tuesday’s snub anything to go by, his concerns are fair.

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Whenever he has found his way onto the pitch, Perez has looked dangerous. He is creative in and around the box, is an adept finisher and showcases a subtle first touch that lends itself well to Wenger’s possession orientated style. And yet, he simply cannot gain the trust of his manager; and that could be the final nail in the Lucas Perez coffin.