It's on!
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It's on!
How d'ya know?
Obviously he doesn't want him here.
World class striker coming home boys :rolleyes:
He's not exactly a Zaha but I'll take him I suppose
Does anyone?Quote:
Originally Posted by Niall_Quinn
Good signing tbf.Quote:
Originally Posted by Marc Overmars
(No idea).
WUMger strikes again.
MONDAY - Spend some fucking money!
THURSDAY
https://redgunners.files.wordpress.c...gersmiling.jpg
WTF does its on mean ?
It's not off
:blink:Quote:
Originally Posted by dostoy
There's been a left-footed-lucas shaped hole since Poldi left. Let's hope he's as good at Twitter.
Here's a piece written by a Deportivo fan about Lucas:
https://moarfootball.com/2016/08/25/...n-lucas-perez/Quote:
Lucas Pérez will be announced in the next 24 hours as an Arsenal player. As a Deportivo de la Coruña fan, I thought it right to scribble some musings on Lucas as a player.
You’ll read a lot in the coming days/weeks about Lucas from people who, quite frankly, watched him very little (if at all). I’m going to condense his history as a footballer into one small paragraph, since I assume most readers just want to know what kind of player he is and if he suits Arsenal.
Lucas is a Deportivo fan, born and bred. He used to sit in the stands with the Riazor Blues, now he represents the club (although not for long). He’s spent two phenomenal years at Depor, clinching goals that secured survival in back-to-back seasons. He even broke the club record of goals scored in consecutive games, toppling Brazilian legend Bebeto. Lucas performed against the biggest of clubs (as evidenced with two goals in two games at the Camp Nou), as well as the smallest of them too. To join Depor, Lucas had to travel around Europe first. When he did arrive, it included minimising his wage by triple and leaving a Champions League club (PAOK). The love and adoration he has for the club has also seen him turn down Leicester, Southampton, Napoli, Zenit & Sevilla this summer. But, when Arsenal come knocking, it’s hard to resist. Especially when you’re 27, at the peak of your game and performing at a club far smaller in current stature.
Now, about Lucas as a player. It says a lot that Arsene Wenger swooped in for the Spaniard after being turned down by Jamie Vardy. Stylistically, both are the same type of player: lean forwards with bags of speed and energy, always raring to break the defensive line and find themselves one-on-one. In fact, much like Vardy, Lucas suits the counter-attacking style of football. A style that Arsenal irregularly employ, which may be a sticking point. If Wenger does switch for this sort of style, which could be supported by the fact he’s chased down two identical strikers this summer, Arsenal may just have pulled off a bargain considering the current market. One interesting fact about Lucas is that he can speak English, having used it as a form of communication in Ukraine and Greece while plying his trade there.
“Lucas isn’t a prolific goal scorer” – that’s something you’ll be reading a lot over the coming days, supported of course by baseless statistics that don’t consider the fact that he only started playing as a striker last season. He’s often been an interior or attacking-midfielder, sticking close to the striker on his team. Arsenal have Olivier Giroud, a striker synonymous with performing at his best when he has a player that operates closely with him (Griezmann for France, occasionally Walcott for Arsenal). Lucas offers Wenger that duality in style: he can be the counter-attacking striker that punishes opposition defences or he can be a foil and creator for Giroud.
Lucas amassed eight assists and 17 goals last year. A career high. While that may seem measly in a time where footballers are filling their boots with 40+ goals per season, one has to consider the club. As a Deportivo fan, I have struggled in the last 5-6 years with strikers who end as top scorers for the club with just 7-10 goals. The issue they all have in common is a lack of creator in the side. Strikers are often forced to carve out their own chances here, so that’s a testament to Lucas’ comfortability and quality as a forward. He chases down possession, effortlessly carries the game forward and then applies a slick finishing touch. This, with no creator. Arsenal have Mesut Özil – a player crying out for more goal scorers to support – and the likes of a supporting cast of Santi Cazorla, Aaron Ramsey etc. The list goes on. Lucas had virtually nobody last season, nor the season before that. He was plucking goals out of nothing, such as the one embedded below.
Lucas has also shown that he can bring the best out of players around him. Luis Alberto, for example, had his best season knocking in goals for Sevilla’s B team. At Liverpool & Málaga, he was fairly poor. At Depor, though, we saw the best of Luis Alberto. Why? Because Lucas, when working in tandem with another forward, is a fantastic footballer. And if he strikes this partnership with, say, Alexis or Giroud, then Arsenal fans are likely to be salivating come the end of the summer.
Am I saying he’s perfect for Arsenal? Not really. There are a few caveats. Will Wenger arrange the system around him? That’s one. But the other comes as part of Lucas’ main issue: he takes a few chances before he puts one away. That may frustrate some, but it’s also worth looking at the other side of things: will he score more if he’s less inclined to snap away at the half chances he creates and simply latch onto a perfectly weighted pass instead? Lucas also requires a bit of freedom if his game is to truly prosper. It’s far from clear what his role will be, but he is an upgrade on all of Arsenal’s wingers (bar Alexis) at the very least.
And, just briefly, since I mentioned Alexis, Arsenal fans will love Lucas Pérez for the same reason they love the Chilean. He works extremely hard – and not in an English “he runs about a bit” type. Lucas will bust a lung to revive a loose ball and, once he collects it, he will carry it forward. Unlike Alexis, though, Lucas is less of a dribbler so will look to release possession to a team-mate once he wins the ball back.
Is he perfect? No. And is he the striker Arsenal 100% wanted this summer? No. But I think he could prove to be an exceptional capture if, as aforementioned, the system is arranged to suit his game. He could be the perfect partner for Giroud and Alexis. Stylistically speaking, Wenger has a very versatile player on his hands that could be the key to saving what has been a miserable summer & start to the season.
Looking forwards to seeing this guy play.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kano
That's what I didn't want to hear, I wanted a finisher not someone who is going to miss quite a few before scoring, disappointing to here this, pretty much like the lot we have right now.Quote:
Am I saying he’s perfect for Arsenal? Not really. There are a few caveats. Will Wenger arrange the system around him? That’s one. But the other comes as part of Lucas’ main issue: he takes a few chances before he puts one away. That may frustrate some, but it’s also worth looking at the other side of things: will he score more if he’s less inclined to snap away at the half chances he creates and simply latch onto a perfectly weighted pass instead? Lucas also requires a bit of freedom if his game is to truly prosper. It’s far from clear what his role will be, but he is an upgrade on all of Arsenal’s wingers (bar Alexis) at the very least.
This guy seems to think he's a winger, I'd like to think that means this isn't the end of our striker search, but I think I'm being optimistic.
If there's a problem, you'll know how to find it :lol:
He looks decent on youtube though. :lol: I know that doesn't mean a lot.Quote:
Originally Posted by Özim
He'll be our striker. I think he'll get better in the role.
Fuck it, no one is going to spin and pretend this is what we wanted. Nor are we going to suddenly think this wasn't a total bum drizzle of a summer. It has the hallmarks of another panic signing because Wenger after all this time hasn't learned not to prevaricate and agonise.
As far as I'm concerned we have dropped five points, Liverpool are an average side with a decent manager who is still developing the team to play how he wants it to, and Leicester are suffering the hangover of reality especially after losing the player who arguably was the most influential in making that title win happen for them, in reality we should have beaten both sides and comfortably.....even with a clod like Wenger that shouldn't have been a big ask.
We have done the bare minimum again, Wenger has gotten off his arse at the last minute because he would have have had an unbearable three months in the dug out had he not done so.
I can't form a judgement on either play simply because I haven't seen enough of them, Mustafi I have seen once or twice for Germany and Perez...,wasn't even aware of his existence before two days ago.
Has anyone said that? He just looks like a decent alternative. Also, if this wasn’t planned, what caused the change? Did the pressure come from above? Was Wenger taken back a bit by the fans reaction at the last game?Quote:
Fuck it, no one is going to spin and pretend this is what we wanted.
No that's why I said no-one is going to do it. And in the final paragraph i make it clear that i am making no judgement on Lucas Perez because i know literally nothing about himQuote:
Originally Posted by Power_n_Glory
I don't think this particular transfer was planned no, i think we looked at him but probably thought there was something out there better, but came back to it a) because we are struggling to find better b) everton were about to sign him and c) yes the fans are up would be up in arms if he did nothing and it's quite possible that there might be arm twisting from above.....if true shame it couldn't have been done earlier but i guess better late than never.
I definitely don't think fan pressure has anything to do with these signings. We were after a striker, with two bids made public and the injuries to Merts and Gabriel made it obvious a new player was needed there in addition to Holding.
If Wenger is seen as someone who doesn't care about, listen to and condescends toward the fans, then a couple of matches with a small section up in arms wouldn't have made a difference to him. He's stubborn as a mule and makes these decisions on his terms only.
The problem, as always, is the timing of the signings. We should've had these guys in and ready for the start of the season. Not two (probably three) games into it. There is also an international break after this weekend, which means even less time for Mustafi to bed-in with the team, which is really needed for the defence.
If, as the fan article about Perez indicates, he is similar to Vardy then hopefully that does lean toward a change in style and feels like a more considered purchase if he is a similar style of player. All of which remains to be seen. Either way, having another striker option can only improve us, even if it is marginally at worst. That said, even a 25+ goalscorer wasn't going to be our saviour. We all know we need a new manager to make the best of any squad at the club. But, we also need more goals from midfield. It's pretty barren back there and until we get a better spread across the team, our tendency to be wasteful will be more heightened.
Going back to earlier discussions about our structure, do you think Wenger had a change of heart?Quote:
Originally Posted by Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie
It's a signing that exemplifies our struggle in the transfer market for sure, but it's better than nothing and hopefully Wenger is now prepared to try something different, as by all accounts this guy is the opposite to Giroud in terms of style.
Change of Heart? No i think if he had no intention of signing a striker all the arm twisting in the world wouldn't have changed his mind.....I think he always intended to sign a striker but he was making a litany of excuses because he wasn't able to get deals done because he was unable to sign the players he wanted most for the value he wanted.Quote:
Originally Posted by Power_n_Glory
Is there evidence that he has been leaned on to get a move on and expedite a deal?....Perhaps, i would argue that there is more evidence of that in the Mustafi deal....in the sense that we suddenly seem prepared to meet Valencia's valuation for him after three weeks of wrangling.
Sounds like this was planned and not a panic buy when you put it like that.Quote:
Originally Posted by Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie
Quite a few of our recent signings have been down to fear of a fan's backlash. Always similar circumstances;Quote:
Originally Posted by Power_n_Glory
1. We fail to sign the required players early enough
2. Wenger rides it out and insists we are ready for the season
3. Season starts and we tank it
4. Fan fury is at boiling point
5. Out he dashes for a last minute signing
Everything to do with restless natives IMHO
Don't bet the house on it. Let's wait and see, it wouldn't surprise me at all if Wenger starts him on the wing.Quote:
Originally Posted by Power_n_Glory
The pressure probably came from many places. Everyone and his horse knew we needed reinforcements, except Wenger of course. Wenger certainly won't have been swayed by the fans, who he clearly despises. But the board might have been. Image will be important to them and they won't want to be seen as a going nowhere, laughing stock of a club that presents declining incentives for sponsors. I'm not saying they will have been greatly influenced, it'd be more like, just do it, we don't need the fuss.Quote:
Originally Posted by Power_n_Glory
And I agree with the general sentiment that this has been a clusterfuck of a transfer window. The sort of mayhem that only Wenger could achieve. None of the players we bought would have been on my list. Roughly £90mill has now been spent and to be honest, we don't have a lot to show for it. Roll the clock back and stick a £70/80 mill bid in for a top striker, spend another 20 on a quality CB. That's how it should have been done. The stupid idiots have ended up spending the money anyway and there's no way I'm buying the idea Wenger set out with Mustafi and Perez on his shopping list.
All in all it's a... hurts your head thinking about the way Wenger operates.
The Mustafi deal was not a panic buy, it's been clear for the better part of a month we were after himQuote:
Originally Posted by Power_n_Glory
Lucas Perez?.....I think that it appears that we revisited a player we didn't originally appear to be interested in suggests it was something of a panic buy.
What worries me is that we might ditch the Lewandowski deal now.
That and Everton were after him. I bet they're mad.:fury:Quote:
Originally Posted by Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie
Nice to see a light hearted post for once :yippee:Quote:
Originally Posted by Niall_Quinn
Mock all you want. But don't come crying when the window close and no Jonny Evans.Quote:
Originally Posted by bignev
I don't think Wenger despises the fans so nothing clear about that.Quote:
Originally Posted by Niall_Quinn
Have to agreed the transfer window has been a clusterfuck though. You should probably amend your analysis to "The sort of mayhem that only Arsenal could achieve". Wenger isn't alone in this, the board is a big part of this, I think sometimes fans forget that.
It does seem crazy that we've spent 90m and not signed anyone who is really exciting :wacko: That said I am encouraged by these signings, first because we're actually doing something and secondly because I think all of our signings are solid, if unspectacular additions.
From what I've seen Perez looks very similar to Vardy and he has experience of playing as a striker and as part of a front three. If you look at it from Wenger perspective I think he see Perez as a short term addition in the striker role until we can get that top quality striker at an acceptable price. Then he'll probably take Walcott's place in the squad when we finally find a way to ship him out.
His stats don't look great at first reading. Roughly 1 goal every 3 games but as a winger for most of his career, that's actually pretty good. He has pace as well so will provide a good alternative to Big Sexy.
Don't worry I wasn't taking a shot at you. I was just saying it's nice to have some light humour for a change.Quote:
Originally Posted by Niall_Quinn
Well we have something different to look forward to, and at Arsenal that's a huge novelty.
There's an oxymoron if I ever read one. Wenger is bemoaning the fact that there is one price for English clubs and another for European clubs. Well they all know that from this year, the lowest placed club will get more than the CL because of TV rights. They want a piece of it.Quote:
Originally Posted by bignev
Not sure you know what Oxymoron means :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Goonermarvee
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/...w-laid-bare-b/
We could have really been waiting on Asano's work permit and once rejected we changed our minds about Perez.
if he signs, he will be probably making his debut on his 28th birthday