Wenger discusses Sanchez ‘risk’, Lucas future

Matt Stead

Arsene Wenger admits that striker Lucas Perez should receive more opportunities to play at Arsenal.

The forward started and scored against Sutton in the FA Cup fifth round on Monday, bringing his goal tally for the season to seven.

He has scored or assisted a goal every 74.08 minutes in all competitions for Arsenal since joining in the summer.

The Spaniard was signed from Deportivo La Coruna for £17million, but has played just 18 games, of which only nine were starts.

Perez’s agent claimed that his client was looking to leave the club “at all costs”, and although said quotes were later denied, it was admitted that he is “not happy” with his current role.

“He is pushing on the door but I have many strikers,” explained Wenger after the Sutton victory.

“I have Giroud, Welbeck ,Walcott, Sanchez and Perez. It is true that he deserves a go because he scores goals and is a good player.”

The Frenchman then moved to defend his decision to bring Alexis Sanchez on as a second-half substitute.

The decision was questioned, with Arsenal already 2-0 up, and with Sutton’s 3G pitch supposedly more dangerous than a regular pitch in terms of causing injury.

“He is a guy who has a strong body,” Wenger stated.

“I think on this pitch, it is the guy who does not have good co-ordination, who is heavy on his feet, who is in trouble.

“He is more a guy who has very good co-ordination, light on his feet.

“I don’t think it was a risk.”