Arsenal fans in the Transfer Tavern have gathered early ahead of today’s Premier League finale with Everton, where the Gunners’ Champions League hopes hang in the balance.
Even the most optimistic punters in the bar are struggling to see Middlesbrough or Watford do them a favour today and believe that their side should just accept their Europa League fate, turning their attention towards the FA Cup final.
Arsenal fans have been impressed by their side’s revitalised form following the switch to a three-man defence and Arsene Wenger’s recent experiments, which include utilising Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain as a wing-back and handing opportunities to Rob Holding, have been extremely successful.
It’s because of that upturn in form that fans are hoping to see something a little different from Wenger’s team selection today, as they’re seeking a fresh look to the starting line-up that hands opportunities to two fringe players.
Our landlord agrees there is certainly no harm in trying and he’s accepted these two potential additions to the starting line-up could be extremely effective.
Lucas Perez
Signed from Deportivo La Coruna last summer for a £16m fee, Lucas Perez has been one of Arsenal’s most consistent performers this season. However, he’s failed to earn regular opportunities and hasn’t played a single minute of Premier League football for the Gunners since early March.
With three goals in three Champions League appearances and two goals in the League Cup, all adding to eight goals across all competitions in total, Perez deserves more opportunities and he could be utilised against Everton today to inject fresh ideas into Arsenal’s attacking line.
Theo Walcott
The 28-year-old forward is another who has struggled to earn regular first-team opportunities this season and he’s approaching crunch-time in his Arsenal career, having failed to establish himself as a key-player throughout his decade of service in North London.
Walcott was a regular in the early part of the season but the Gunners switch to a three-man defence has seen the England international consistently overlooked. However, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain injured and Hector Bellerin showing inconsistent form this season, Arsenal could experiment with Walcott in a wing-back role in today’s clash.
