Arsenal are about to finally sign a striker according to reports in Spain.
Gunners fans have been waiting patiently for Arsenal to sign a striker for many years now and it seems that the wait may be over, with Marca reporting that Arsenal have agreed to pay the €20million release clause of Spanish forward Lucas Perez. They also say the move could be completed today (Thursday).
The striker, who turns 28 in September is somewhat of a late bloomer and really rose to prominence with his performances last season. Barcelona are one of a number of clubs to be linked with him in the last 12 months.Perez scored 17 league goals in a Deportivo side that struggled last season in La Liga. 17 is one more than Olivier Giroud managed and Perez also notched up 8 assists, two more than Giroud’s league tally. Perez managed a shot accuracy of 59%, that is higher than Giroud’s also (54%).
Perez scored 17 league goals in a Deportivo side that struggled last season in La Liga. 17 is one more than Olivier Giroud managed and Perez also notched up 8 assists, two more than Giroud’s league tally. Perez managed a shot accuracy of 59%, that is higher than Giroud’s also (54%).
Perez is a very different striker to Giroud. Not nearly as dominant in the air, Perez has plenty of pace and dribbling ability. He is a different striker to what Arsenal currently have and although he is not the World Class player many will have been hoping for, he might just be the shrewd backup plan that gives the Gunners the attacking diversity that they need.
A statistic that really highlights that is the forwards 38 successful take ons last season, Giroud only managed 11 in comparison. Perez is certainly a striker that has the pace to go in behind and also the ability to run with the ball and beat a defender.
Although he flourished as a centre-forward last season, Perez had spent much of his career previously playing as a winger or attacking midfielder, so he could always be deployed alongside Olivier.
Another stat worth noting is that Perez took 34 shots from outside the box compared to Giroud’s 6 last season. Arsenal lack players willing to try their luck from distance and that is partly down to Wenger’s tactics, but if Perez did arrive, we could perhaps see a different attacking approach from Arsene.
Perez has already scored 1 and assisted another in Deportivo’s opening game this campaign.
Everton were also prepared to meet the strikers release clause although it now appears Arsenal have moved ahead of Koeman’s men in the race to sign him.
Stay close to fresharsenal.com and @Fresh_Arsenal and @FreshFootball on Twitter to keep up to date.