Arsenal: The Only Man Exempt From Criticism Likely To Leave

Lucas Perez may well be the only man in the Arsenal squad who is exempt from criticism. And thanks to his treatment from Arsene Wenger, he is set to leave.

This is the worst period in Arsenal’s 21-year history under the guidance of Arsene Wenger. Ever since he was hired in 1996, Wenger has brought great success to the club, from double winning seasons to Invincible years to successive FA Cup titles.

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However, after the 3-0 loss to Crystal Palace on Monday succumbed the Gunners to their fourth successive away defeat in the Premier League, in which they have conceded three in all four, and to sixth in the table, seven points behind Manchester City in fourth, questions regarding Wenger and his player’s abilities and character are engulfing the club.

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There are very few individuals, from playing squad to board level, that are not been exempt from critique. Even the senior members of the squad, from Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil to Nacho Monreal and Hector Bellerin, have been unable to lead this team during this tough period. Perhaps the only ones who should be protected from the vociferous blame game are those who are absent through injury: Santi Cazorla and Lucas Perez.

And now, it is looking more and more likely that the latter is set to leave the club after just one year in North London. Perez, signed as a depth option for £17 million in the dying embers of last summer’s transfer window, has become frustrated with the lack of opportunities that he has been given at the Emirates.

And while he was never signed with the expectation that he would become an entrenched first team starter, when he has found his way onto the pitch, either in cup games or late on as a substitute, the Spaniard has looked incredibly lively.

He has a relentless attacking attitude, is sharp in and around the penalty area, creates chances and scores goals. Quite simply, that all he has done. And for some strange reason, Wenger does not trust him. In the past few weeks, he has been absent from the squad with a thigh injury, and he should not be as heavily criticised as many other players.

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Paris Saint-Germain have most recently been linked as a possible destination for Perez and it would be a great shame to see him leave in the summer. For all of Arsenal’s struggles, there are talented players still in this squad, Perez being one of them. To lose them would simply add to the agony.