Arsenal are on a roll. The Gunners are unbeaten since the opening day of the Premier League season and have now won six matches in succession. However, tempting as it must be to continue with a winning formula, manager Arsene Wenger must also make use of his squad to ensure his stars do not suffer undue fatigue.
The midweek Champions League tie with Ludogorets Razgrad presents a good opportunity to rotate—and Spanish striker Lucas Perez could be one of those set to benefit.
Lucas has struggled for regular football in the early period of his Arsenal career. Although he started against Southampton shortly after joining the club from Deportivo La Coruna, he’s only subsequently been named in the side for the EFL Cup game against Nottingham Forest.
What’s most surprising is how much he has struggled to get off the substitutes' bench—he has only managed a further two minutes, in the 4-1 victory over Hull City.
It’s not unusual for Wenger to take his time with a new signing who is still acclimatising to English football. However, with Olivier Giroud close to returning from a toe injury, Lucas will be in a hurry to seize the opportunity to impress. If he’s not careful, Arsenal’s summer signing could soon be consigned to a spot as third-choice centre-forward.
The greatest issue Lucas faces is the surprise success of Alexis Sanchez as Wenger’s No. 9. It’s a situation that’s come up as much by accident as design—with Giroud recovering from Euro 2016 and Lucas still at Deportivo when the season began, Alexis was the only real choice to be the spearhead of Arsenal’s attack.
Nevertheless, he’s flourished in the new role. Arsenal seem a much more effective attacking proposition with the Chilean operating through the middle.
Midfielder Santi Cazorla explained to Cadena Cope (h/t International Business Times):
Alexis is fundamental for us. He makes the difference wherever he plays. No matter the position. Due to different circumstances he is playing as the number nine because Giroud arrived later from the Euro and Lucas was signed in the last days of the transfer window.
Wenger is keeping him up front and I think that as soon as he continues this form he will continue playing there. Then I do not know whether he will play as a striker during the whole season because we also have two other very good strikers in Giroud and Lucas. But right now Alexis is giving much as a striker.
Alexis’ success could be interpreted as a good sign for Lucas. If the Gunners are looking for someone who can provide a direct alternative to their marquee man, the Spaniard could fit the bill.
Like Alexis, he’s quick, aggressive and mobile. He's certainly a closer match than Giroud, who may find Arsenal’s system evolving beyond him.
Cazorla insists that his compatriot should be patient as he waits to make the breakthrough in London:
Lucas is a great guy. We have a very good relationship. Probably he expected to play more but I have told him to be patient.
The beginnings in a new club are not easy. But he's happy, he is aware that he has made an important change in his career. He will need to be patient but he hopes to play a lot during the season because the team trust in him. He is training very well and scored two goals in the Cup. He will be an important player during the season.
Certainly, Lucas’ appearance against Forest was a convincing audition. He scored twice in a comfortable victory. The first was from the penalty spot, but the second was an impressive solo goal in which he darted beyond the opposition defence and rounded the goalkeeper before tapping home. That display alone ought to be enough to convince Wenger that he is worthy of a chance against Ludogorets.
He won’t be the only player looking to get a run-out in midweek. Nacho Monreal struggled against Swansea City at the weekend, so Kieran Gibbs will hope for an opportunity to stake his claim for a first-team place. The full-back has barely figured in his preferred position across the last 12 months, but he might sense an opportunity to oust the Spaniard during an uncharacteristic dip in form for the former Malaga man.
In midfield, Mohamed Elneny could come in for Cazorla. The Egyptian was a key figure in Arsenal’s team at the back end of last season but has since found starts more difficult to come by. This seems like an ideal time to make use of his energetic, efficient style.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could also be hoping for an outing. The England international made a good impact as a substitute in Arsenal’s last league match against Swansea, creating two golden chances for Theo Walcott to seal a hat-trick.
Oxlade-Chamberlain could be asked to play in the in-form Walcott’s place against Ludogorets or switch to the left flank ahead of Alex Iwobi.
One change certain to happen is the introduction of David Ospina for Petr Cech. The Colombian has been in impressive form thus far in the Champions League, and he will hope to continue his good run against the Bulgarians. It will be interesting to see to what extent Arsenal’s reserve goalkeeper has managed to retain his sharpness without much competitive football.
Wenger must strike a balance between retaining enough continuity to maintain Arsenal’s momentum and making enough changes to bring a freshness to the XI.
Lucas is likely to be the man tasked with injecting some vigour into the Gunners attack. This is a chance for him to show that not only is he an able deputy for Alexis, but he is a viable alternative to him too.
The Chilean will need rest as the season wears on, and this is a rare chance to offer him some time to recuperate. Lucas ought to have the requisite attributes to fill in.
His manager seems to have faith in him. Speaking to Arsenal.com about his steady adaptation, Wenger said:
When you see the games, you can see the intensity is total and it takes you a little while sometimes to adjust to that. All the players that we bought this season have top quality and have the right attitude.
I believe that in training Lucas shows the quality to integrate into our squad and this is a job where you have to be focused and maintain your desire no matter what happens to you.
Sometimes it comes quick, sometimes you have to wait and at the moment he shows us the quality.
If he maintains that he will get his chance.
That chance could arrive against Ludogorets. Lucas’ Champions League debut would be an invaluable opportunity to demonstrate his worth to Wenger and the Arsenal fans.
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.