There’s a new number nine in the house at Emirates Stadium with Lucas Perez the latest to don the classic centre forwards’ number following his arrival from Deportivo La Coruna.
Not the striker pretty much all Gooners had in mind when the summer transfer window opened, the Spanish forwards’ Google and YouTube searches must have gone through the roof in recent weeks with every Arsenal fan researching exactly what kind of player he is.
Speedy, clinical and capable of playing on the wing as well as up top, Lucas has been dubbed the ‘Spanish Jamie Vardy’ in numerous quarters so far but only time will tell whether he can adapt to the rigours of the Premier League.
No spring chicken but not in the veteran stages of his career either, Arsenal should get the best out of Lucas in theory with the 27-year-old coming into his own after effectively making his name with Greek side PAOK between 2013 and 2015.
Enjoying his most prolific season with hometown club Deportivo La Coruna last term, scoring 18 goals in 37 appearances, Arsenal fans simply crave more goals up top to supplement Olivier Giroud’s haul.
But an interesting observation is that the number 9 shirt has been something of a problem number down the years at the North London club.
It can be argued that since Nicolas Anelka wore the number, most Arsenal number 9’s have either struggled to stick around for too long or were simply not good enough for the club anyway.
With that in mind, here are FIVE Arsenal number 9’s that Lucas Perez will aim to better!