Arsenal finished top of their Champions League group, after their 4-1 win against FC Basel last night.
Speaking live on Sky Sports Now at 10:01 am on December 7th, Arsenal legend Charlie Nicholas discussed the fantastic performance of Lucas Perez against Basel last night, highlighting the difficulty he still faces in forcing his way into the first-team on a regular basis.
The 28-year-old Spaniard scored a 39-minute hat-trick against the Swiss side which, in turn, helped the Gunners finish top of their Champions League group for the first time since 2011.
But Nicholas believes that it will still not be enough, for the time being at least, to secure a spot in the Arsenal starting XI, telling Sky Sports Now:
Arsenal’s Lucas Perez celebrates
“He will be out this weekend I would imagine at home to Stoke, I would think Walcott or Oxlade-Chamberlain will come in. It’s a punishment in certain ways, and an aspect of the game.”
What must be fantastic for Arsenal fans, is that for the first time in a long time, their side is now full of players are are in genuine competition for places with each other.
Arsenal’s Lucas Perez
The challenge for Arsene Wenger now will be to rotate throughout the busy Christmas period, allowing his star players time to rest and recover in order to keep them fresh for the second half of the season, whilst also injecting confidence into his fringe men.
There is a long way to go still, but the Gunners certainly look like a different animal to what they have done in previous campaigns.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
