Report: This is why 28-year-old was absent for Arsenal v Chelsea
By Matt Farr
Lucas Perez was omitted from Arsenal’s squad to face Chelsea in the Premier League on Saturday because of an injury, according to a report.
Football London have reported that Arsene Wenger did not intentionally drop the 28-year-old from the team, and was instead forced to because of a training-ground injury sustained on Friday.
Perez was reported to have suffered a minor ankle problem in preparation for the tie, and was not deemed fit enough to warrant selection.
Many fans ahead of the game had called for the Spaniard be handed an important role in the title clash, only to be left stunned by Wenger’s decision to leave him out entirely.
Arsenal went on to lose the game 3-1, leaving them 12 points short of Chelsea in the Premier League title race.
Perez has become a big-hit with the Emirates’ fanbase following his move from Deportivo in the summer, but he has struggled for regular first-team action due to the form of Alexis Sanchez and Olivier Giroud.
But when called upon, Perez has excelled, contributing seven goals and six assists from 17 appearances in all competitions.
He made a particularly lasting impression in the 4-1 Champions League group-stage victory over FC Basel on December 6, marking a rare start with a superb hat-trick.
The £17.1million summer signing has started all five of Arsenal’s EFL Cup and FA Cup fixtures this season, but has started just three of their remaining fixtures in Europe and in the Premier League.
In other Arsenal news, a host of clubs are on red-alert after this goal-a-game Arsenal target revealed he will move clubs in the summer.
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