Ben Guest
Arsenal striker Lucas Perez has sensationally slammed Arsene Wenger as he looks to leave the club this summer.
Perez only moved to the Emirates last summer in a £17m move from Deportivo la Coruna, and was handed the number 9 shirt.
The Spaniard struggled to get into the starting lineup, making just 21 appearances all season for the Gunners, despite scoring seven goals.
However, the arrival of Alexandre Lacazette has angered the striker after he found out via the club website that he has been stripped of the number 9 shirt, and switched to the much less fashionable number 28.
Speaking to La Voz de Galicia, Perez certainly didn’t hold back in his criticism of the Arsenal boss.
“They [Arsenal] are not behaving well with me.
“The thing of taking the shirt number without telling me to give it to a companion. It seems to me the last straw.
“I can not continue this way. I have given everything, but that has not been reciprocated, so I can’t stand it any longer.
“I feel cheated. In February I was not allowed to leave for China with the promise that I would play more and after that I had even fewer opportunities.
“But the shirt number is an ugly gesture. On the trip, Lacazette asked the boss and he accepted. Afterwards, he told me.
“Last year he [Wenger] told me that he understood that I was upset. I think this season things will get worse, so help me out.”
The striker the admitted he is desperate to leave and hopes of a return to Deportivo la Coruna:
“I want to leave to play and be happy.
“Last year I barely had any opportunities and when I had them I took advantage of them.
“I want to fight to go to the national team. I want to play football, but for that I have to leave.
“And I think that the best place for me is at home, with Depor.“Since I have been a professional footballer, I’ve felt happiest in Deportivo, surrounded by my family, my friends.
“Put yourself in my place. I know I have chances to go to the national team. To play the World Cup. A dream. But for that I have to play and I have to be happy.
“That’s why I want to go back to Coruna.”
Has Perez been unfairly treated? Did he deserve more opportunities at Arsenal? Leave us a comment below.