Wenger accuses Reading of ‘deliberately’ hurting Perez

Daniel Storey

Arsene Wenger has accused Reading of hurting Lucas Perez with a “deliberate kick”.

Wenger confirmed on Friday that Perez would be out for “six to eight weeks” after suffering an ankle injury in the EFL Cup victory over Reading in midweek.

Perez started the game but was substituted late in the second half after a poorly-timed tackle from Danzell Gravenberch.

The Spaniard, who signed from Deportivo La Coruna in the summer for around £17million, is now expected to miss a number of key games in the festive fixture list.

Arsenal manager Wenger, who delivered a fitness update on a number of his players, was unhappy with the challenge.

Speaking at a press conference on Friday ahead of this weekend’s clash with Sunderland, the Frenchman accused Reading of “deliberately” hurting Perez.

“He’s absolutely gutted because it’s an injury coming from nowhere and a stupid one. It was a kick, a deliberate kick,” he said.

“It’s very frustrating because he worked very hard to get there. Now he’s close. It was not needed.”