Lucas Perez Is a Natural Fit at Centre-Forward and Must Start for Arsenal

In recent weeks, Arsenal fans have been left perplexed by Arsene Wenger’s determination to deploy Alexis Sanchez as a centre-forward. Although Alexis has fared relatively well on the goalscoring front, he has yet to demonstrate a natural aptitude for the position.

However, Wenger now seems to have a viable alternative at his disposal.

On just his second start in a Gunners shirt, Lucas Perez scored twice against Nottingham Forest, illustrating that he is a strong contender for a starting spot with his new club.

It was a stark contrast to Lucas’ debut in the Premier League against Southampton. On that occasion, the Spaniard looked lost—struggling to get into a game in which he was bereft of service. However, against Forest he looked like a completely different player.

Of course, the calibre of the opposition should be taken into account—Lucas was playing against a Championship side here. Nevertheless, that division is infamous for its physical and uncompromising central-defenders, which could have caused a player arriving from Spain significant problems. Undeterred, Lucas quickly made it clear that he was a class above.

Significantly, Wenger once again started Lucas through the middle. The former Deportivo La Coruna man began his career playing out wide and is comfortable filling in on either flank. From the left he can drive to the byline to swing in dangerous crosses, whereas from the right he is able to cut inside and shoot off his stronger foot.

When young centre-forward Chuba Akpom was named alongside Lucas in the starting XI, it appeared that the Spaniard was set to operate from the wing, with the academy product beginning as the No. 9. Instead, Akpom was played out of position on the left, and Lucas was unleashed through the middle.

Wenger is clearly determined to make use of him as a central striker.

It’s not difficult to see what appeals to the Arsenal boss. Lucas has many of the qualities Wenger has been seeking in his centre-forward for a couple of years now. In fact, they’re the very same attributes that have tempted Wenger to use Alexis through the middle.

Both players are quick, agile, inventive and aggressive. Both favour a pressing game and are …

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