Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has praised Lucas Perez for his performance in last night’s EFL Cup victory over Nottingham Forest, claiming that the part that the Spaniard played in Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain showed his quality.
Perez scored his first two Arsenal goals in the 4-0 win at the City Ground, one of which was from the penalty spot, but Wenger was particularly impressed by the new signing’s assist for Oxlade-Chamberlain.
🗣 The boss on Lucas: “The part he played in the Oxlade-Chamberlain goal showed that he is an intelligent player” – #NFFCvAFC pic.twitter.com/0JqTBYFaPu
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) September 20, 2016
Perez, who joined the Gunners from Deportivo La Coruna, has been eased into English football slowly by Arsene Wenger, with the forward having started against Southampton before being named on the bench for the subsequent fixtures against Paris Saint-Germain and Hull City.
The striker, who has an average pass accuracy of 72% in the Premier League this season, endured a difficult start to the game against Forest as he struggled to get involved in proceedings, but he gradually became more influential and found the net from the penalty spot before doubling his tally with a clever finish from inside the penalty area.
It remains to be seen whether Perez’s impressive display will be sufficient to earn him a place in the starting line-up for the Premier League game at home to Chelsea on Sunday, but the forward has certainly showcased to Arsene Wenger that he is ready to play a part for his new club.
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