Arsenal fans have long debated the No. 9 position, with Olivier Giroud dividing the fan base as to whether he’s the quality they need in this position.
In the Gunners’ 4-0 rout of Nottingham Forest, Lucas Perez, who signed during the summer from Deportivo La Coruna for a fee in the region of £17m, was the star of the show netting twice and putting in a shift which will put Giroud’s spot in the first XI under scrutiny.
Granit Xhaka’s incredible 30-yard strike opened the scoring, before Perez slotted home a penalty to make it 2-0.
His second goal and Arsenal’s third, which killed the game off, was a superb piece of skill and persistence as he chased down a ball, won it back, surged toward goal, beat two defenders and poked the ball past the goalkeeper into an empty net.
It is that type of hunger and desire for the contest that endeared him to the travelling contingent and will have Arsene Wenger, and Giroud in particular, on high alert.
Three games, two starts, two goals and an assist to his name is a fine return and signifies an impressive start to Perez’s career at the Emirates.
Arsenal face fierce rivals Chelsea in the Premier League on Saturday evening and it will be intriguing to see if Wenger opts to start the Gunners’ new Spaniard if Giroud is available to return from a toe injury.
Here are some of the best reactions on Twitter following his fine display:
Lucas Perez at Arsenal:
Games: 3
Starts: 2
Goals: 2
Assists: 1 pic.twitter.com/pUoDBU7BlP— Arsenal Relevant (@ArsenalRelevant) September 20, 2016
Proper Suarez type of goal from Lucas Perez. Love that.
— SamW (@SamW_AFC) September 20, 2016
Hoping this is the start to a very prolific Arsenal career for Lucas Perez
— Sideeq (@Bayyou_Arsenal) September 20, 2016
We got Perez. Lucas Perez. We just don’t think you understand. He’s Arsene Wenger’s man. He’s better than Zlatan. We’ve got Lucas Perez.
— phil d (@phildo104) September 20, 2016
Seeing an Arsenal striker beat a man for pace and score was a beautiful sight. Thank you @LP10oficial.
— Dylan (@dsmgd) September 20, 2016
That 2nd Lucas goal is a thing of beauty. Offers something different. Giroud wouldn’t have been able to speed past that defender like that.
— Mahmoud Jaber (@MahmuudJaber) September 20, 2016
Giroud’s new nightmare pic.twitter.com/4f1eUevLQt
— Josh Rossi (@Juicyrossi) September 20, 2016
I’ve been waiting for a #9 like Lucas for years, what a player, can’t wait to see him alongside Giroud & Alexis, our strike force will be 🔥
— Mesut Ozil (@MesutOzilTouch) September 20, 2016
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