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.

Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

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 willing runners. They’re also intuitive finishers who use instinctive ability to put the ball beyond the goalkeeper early, firing off shots with little back-lift and catching shot-stoppers off guard.

The difference, of course, is that Lucas knows the role. While Alexis is still adjusting to playing in the middle, Lucas has spent the best part of two seasons acclimatising to a central berth. He knows when to drop off, when to go in behind, when to hold the ball up and when to go it alone.

There’s no doubt about Alexis’ ability on the ball, but so much of playing at centre-forward is about intelligent movement off the ball. The Chilean can lack tactical discipline, whereas Lucas’ individual brilliance is tempered by a fundamental team ethic.

That was evident at the City ground. Lucas’ tireless display was not simply a case of him trying to make a good impression in an early outing for his new club. Anyone who watched him at Deportivo will attest that he worked that hard throughout his time in LaLiga, constantly offering an option to the midfield by darting into space.

His goals showed different sides to his game. First, after Akpom had been brought down inside the penalty area, he stepped up to convert a penalty with consummate ease. After Alexis missed from the spot at the weekend, it was notable how precise Lucas’ kick was. Again, this is associated with experience—while Alexis is not Arsenal’s regular taker, Lucas was very reliable on penalties for Depor throughout 2016/17.

Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Although it showcases technical ability and composure, putting a penalty away should not be too taxing for a top forward. However, Lucas’ second goal really illustrated the Spaniard’s full range of skills. He tore down the left flank, outmuscling a defender before knocking the ball beyond the goalkeeper and tapping into an empty net.

It was a goal that showed off the two trademark qualities of Lucas’ career: pace and persistence.

Wenger has been seeking a fleet-footed forward to provide Arsenal with a more varied threat than Olivier Giroud, and Lucas certainly has the requisite speed.

The persistence refers not just to his willingness to chase lost causes on the field but the manner in which he has forged a career out of difficult circumstances. When he was playing in Ukraine and Greece, he probably did not dare to dream he would one day represent a club the size of Arsenal.   

There is more to come, as Lucas produced a sumptuous flick to create the fourth and final goal for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Afterwards, a clearly impressed Wenger told the club's official site: 

"

Of course, a striker is always growing when he scores goals and I felt that he has shown tonight - I liked his second goal because it was not only technique but it was determination, to fight for the ball and finish, I liked as well the part he played in the goal of Oxlade-Chamberlain because it shows that he can combine with other people and that he is an intelligent player.

He’s quick, he’s determined, he uses well his left foot - a bit too much for my taste, and not enough his right foot, but overall he’s like all left-footed players. 

"

It’s been a long journey to the top for Lucas, but perhaps we’re beginning to see why Wenger broke from habit to sign a slightly older forward this summer. Rather than signing a player who is still developing, he has acquired a hardened professional who is ready to hit the ground running.

There are teething troubles with most transfers, and there are almost certain to be bumps in the road ahead for Lucas. However, the performance against Nottingham Forest suggests Wenger need not wait too long before considering him a Premier League starter.

This weekend’s match with Chelsea may well come too soon—Alexis will be rested and raring to go against Antonio Conte’s men. However, if the Chilean continues to struggle with the demands of his new position, then Wenger has the comfort of knowing the new man looks ready to be unleashed.

Lucas may be a late developer, but he is clearly in a hurry to make up for lost time.

James McNicholas is Bleacher Report's lead Arsenal correspondent and will be following the club from a London base throughout 2016/17. Follow him on Twitter here.