When Arsenal signed Lucas Perez from Deportivo La Coruna in the summer, the striker came with the reputation of being a potent goalscorer as well as someone who could play in any position in attack. It seemed that he would be a good complement to players such as Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil.
Fast-forward six months, however, and there are rumours that Perez could be leaving after just one season with the Gunners. Although his agent has denied suggestions that the Spaniard could move to AC Milan in the summer, he did add that his client was unhappy at his lack of playing time.
Perez has good reason to wonder why he is seemingly below players like Theo Walcott and Alex Iwobi in the pecking order. Perez has made 18 appearances for Arsenal this season, and a place in the starting XI has been rare, even though he has been directly involved in nine goals in his last eight starts, including a goal on Monday against Sutton United in the FA Cup. Statistically, he is contributing heavily to the team, supplying at least one goal or assist per game.
Lucas Pérez: Has scored or assisted a goal every 75.1 mins for Arsenal this season #SUTARS
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) February 20, 2017
Meanwhile, Theo Walcott has yet again flattered to deceive at Arsenal, going on a run of form earlier in the season that merited a starting berth but then not being able to maintain that level.
It’s been a similar story for Akex Iwobi. The young star has looked promising at times but does not contribute to goals as much as he should. With the way Perez has performed whenever he’s been called upon, the 28-year-old must be wondering what more he must do to leapfrog his teammates in Arsene Wenger’s plans.
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