Arsenal: Lucas Perez Performance Should Rattle Olivier Giroud
Arsenal signed Lucas Perez to be a striker and, for the first time since we signed him, he looked the part. You watching, Giroud?
Lucas Perez has to recognize by now that every chance he gets up front for Arsenal has to be taken. Especially with Giroud currently out with a toe injury. Lucas was given one of those chances and, sure enough, he took it. With both hands.
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First of all, a few disclaimers. It was only Nottingham Forest. They’re 13th in the Championship. Fair point. Let’s not get carried away.
Secondly, he was very quiet early on. But the longer he was on the pitch, the more comfortable he got and before long, he looked silky smooth and unstoppable. Was it still Forest? Yet. But so what.
As for his performance, we will start with the first goal. Lucas’s penalty was pure, confident and completely perfect. It was what a penalty should be. He didn’t slip, he didn’t telegraph it. It was just pure. It wasn’t like what we are used to seeing as of late.
But that’s obviously not even the main thing I’m talking about. Lucas’s second goal was exactly what we wanted to see. Say what you want about the Championship division, but they are physical. Some would even say it’s more focused on strength and physicality than the Prem.
Given that the physicality aspect is always the first question asked of a player coming to England for the first time, it’s safe to say that it’s a rather good sign that Lucas’s first open-play goal came on an effort where he showed his speed and strength. The commentators even said it looked like Jamie Vardy.
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In summary, it couldn’t have been better.
Lucas stayed involved in every play after that. He showcased his selfless play, his link-up abilities and looked like he was ready to make an impact. He should have even had a couple more goals.
Giroud may be out injured, but I have to feel he had his cage rattled a bit. Giroud is already looking at a battle to take the striker role back from Alexis, but if Lucas starts to capitalize on these side competitions, it’s only a matter of time before his name gets thrown into the hat as well.
This serves two purposes and I probably don’t even need to tell you what they are. I love when Giroud gets his cage rattled because he reacts. Sometimes the big Frenchman needs someone to threaten him for him to snap into top form. He was likely already rattled, but now even more so.
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Obviously the other purpose is that Lucas is looking more and more viable. I’ll take a few deep breaths and acknowledge it was only Nottingham Forest, but this was still exactly what we wanted to see from Lucas – confidence, strength, speed and finishing ability.