Arsenal: Lucas Perez return seems meaningless

Arsenal are reportedly considering terminating Lucas Perez’s loan deal to bolster their attacking options. Given Arsene Wenger’s history, though, it all seems a little meaningless.

Against West Bromwich Albion on Sunday, Arsenal had just Danny Welbeck and Theo Walcott as attacking options on the bench. Unfortunately, because of injuries to Sead Kolasinac and Laurent Koscielny, only Welbeck was introduced with the Gunners searching for a goal. Hardly drowning in attacking options.

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The problems were accentuated with Alex Iwobi already starting as one of the front three. Iwobi, unfortunately, was extremely poor, again. It is difficult to see what he brings to the team at this point in time, particularly given his confidence troubles in past years.

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The restriction in options for Arsene Wenger has, primarily, come through injury. Olivier Giroud is suffering an extended absence with a hamstring issue; Mesut Ozil was surprisingly omitted from the squad with a slight knee problem, which will hopefully clear up by the time Chelsea’s trip to the Emirates comes around on Wednesday night; Aaron Ramsey’s absence has limited the versatility that Wenger can implement with his replacements in midfield.

Because of the increasingly reduced number of options available to him, Wenger is reportedly considering the possibility of bringing Lucas Perez back to North London for the latter half of the season.  Perez is currently on loan with Deportivo La Coruna. He has made 15 La Liga appearances this season, scoring four goals and recording an assist. But Arsenal have allegedly inserted a clause in the deal that allows them to recall the attacker.

In theory, this would be a move that I would like to see. Perez, in limited opportunity, showed himself extremely capable, impressing with his subtle movements, intelligent, nuanced play, and sharp-shooting. But the problem was not the level of his performances. It was the number of them.

Wenger, for a reason unbeknownst to general thinking — it is yet to have been discussed, and likely never will be discussed –, was hesitant to ever trust Perez. He played just a combined 401 minutes in the Premier League and Champions League, all without suffering any major injury that caused an extended absence.

So why would things change this time around? When Giroud returns, when Ramsey returns, if Iwobi rediscovers his form, would Wenger just banish Perez to the reserves once again? The happiness of a player should not necessarily be Wenger’s concern. His first priority must be Arsenal, and if bringing back Perez helps Arsenal, then that is what he should do.

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But it all seems a little meaningless if the same thing happens as last time. It all seems pointless, almost. And that is the most disappointing thing. This is a team, and a squad, that needs invigorating, a spark, a catalyst. This is not that.