Arsenal’s desperate search for a striker in the transfer window culminated with the late acquisition of Deportivo’s Lucas Pérez.
A £17 million offer was enough to see the 27-year-old make the switch from the Riazor to the Emirates and add much-needed depth to the Gunners’ exhausted attacking options. Arsène Wenger identified Pérez as a gamble worth taking, with his sharpness, hunger, and speed providing an alternative to the frustratingly inconsistent Olivier Giroud.
Outside90’s Adam Pallotta explores whether Pérez will buck the trend of promising, yet ultimately fruitless, strikers before him, or instead fizzle and be offloaded as another failed experiment.
The Spaniard’s quality is undeniable, and offers Wenger far greater tactical versatility up front. Prior to his signature, Giroud was the only fit recognised centre-forward in the first team and this circumstance was extremely inadequate, considering the club’s lofty aspirations and the improvement of rivals. Pérez is hard-working, combines fluently with teammates, and, most importantly, scores goals. He netted 24 times in 58 appearances over his two years with Deportivo, with 19 of those coming during the 2014-15 season. As the Blue-and-Whites slumped to a 16th place finish, Pérez was the shining light.
The striker is an archetypal late bloomer blessed with pace, much in the same vein as Leicester’s Jamie Vardy. He has spent the majority of his career on the left-wing, and has made great strides since his switch to the hitman role. His positional versatility is a valued asset considering Arsenal’s historical, and current, injury toll. He has shown in his time with Deportivo that he is able to stretch the defence, run the channels, and threaten in behind.
Alternatively, Pérez could well succumb to the same fate as every Arsenal striker since Dutchman Robin van Persie in 2012 – imminent bench warming. While he showcases all the necessary attributes to thrive for Arsenal, Perez was ultimately a quick, unprepared decision to quash the growing uneasiness of fans who have been crying out for another striker. In the Spaniard, however, their wishes have only partially been granted as he is an unknown and is certainly not the Robert Lewandowski or Gonzalo Higuain that the faithful were expecting. It is also worth noting that despite his fine form in the La Liga, he was overlooked for the final Spain squad at Euro 2016, even with the considerable striker deficiency in Vicente del Bosque’s side.
Pérez might be doomed for failure by the mere number on his shirt as he bravely claimed the cursed No. 9 – one that has thwarted many careers previously at Arsenal. There have been some shockers – Lukas Podolski, Francis Jeffers, José Antonio Reyes, Eduardo – the list goes on. As a former winger, he offers incisive passing and the ability to give a final ball. Although seemingly a strength, Arsenal already has an abundance of creative-midfielders but lack an out-and-out striker to complete this silky build-up play. Pérez will need to be more selfish in front of goal, and let the likes of Mesut Ozil, Santi Cazorla, and Aaron Ramsey play provider if he is to successfully play his role.
Whether or not Pérez can have an impact for the Gunners will be a major factor behind the measured success of the North London club. Arsenal have already taken the first positive step by providing genuine competition for the centre-forward role, however, it is yet to be known how Pérez will adapt to his new surroundings and increased expectation on the big stage. He is in the peak of his career and ready to integrate into the team, and will be boosted by the world-class talent surrounding him on the team sheet. In five years’ time, fans will hope to look back on the No.9 and associate it with a certain Spanish success story.
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