Arsenal Vs. Chelsea: Lucas Perez The Perfect Option
Arsenal host Chelsea on Saturday in the Premier League. After two goals against Nottingham Forest, Lucas Perez is the perfect option for Arsene Wenger.
A few seasons ago, Arsene Wenger was unwilling to be tactically adaptable against the better sides. Against teams where Arsenal would naturally dominate possession by virtue of simply having more talented players, Wenger’s philosophy of attacking football, committing men forward at the risk of leaving yourself bare to the counter attack does not have disastrous consequences as the opposition rarely have the ruthless ability to take advantage.
That, though, does not transpire to the big boys. Wenger’s men were pummelled over a two-year period by the likes of Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool. However, more recently, after repeatedly picking up the pieces of a side beaten black and blue, Wenger has adapted his approach in these big games.
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This weekend Arsenal host a Chelsea side who are extremely dangerous on the break. With a stout defence leaning on the experience of Gary Cahill, John Terry and David Luiz and a midfield that is extremely difficult to break down with Nemanja Matic and N’Golo Kante shielding the back four, Antonio Conte is more than happy to sit deep, soak up pressure and counter with pace and power through the likes of Eden Hazard, Willian and a rejuvenated Deigo Costa.
If the Gunners enter this match in the hope of dominating possession, then they will achieve their goal, but they will not win. Chelsea will out-muscle and out-power defensively while exploiting the space that Arsenal vacate when pushing forward. The way to beat this side is draw them out and hit them with pace in attacking areas.
Lucas Perez with another goal #afc
0-3 #NFFCvAFC
[@GoonerTerje]pic.twitter.com/tckCEZnUt0
— Arsenal Latest (@ArsenalsNews) September 20, 2016
That is why Lucas Perez is the perfect option for Saturday’s game. The Spanish striker was bought in the summer in a £17 million move with the hope of providing an alternative option to the slower but stronger Olivier Giroud. Arsenal’s longtime striker is an exceptional hold-up man with is back to goal, but he is never going to threaten in behind, running the channels.
Against Chelsea, his power and size do not pose problems to their centre-halves adept at dealing with such a threat. However, the pace, the quickness and now the confidence after scoring his first two Arsenal goals in a 4-0 win over Nottingham Forest on Tuesday night of Perez would make life far more uncomfortable for a slower, more lethargic Chelsea defence.
The signing of Perez was primarily to offer Wenger tactical versatility and flexibility, giving him a viable alternative approach to the likes of Giroud. This weekend’s match against Chelsea is the perfect opportunity to unleash his new weapon.
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