The news that Arsenal forward Lucas Perez has been ruled out until Christmas at the earliest is arguably more a blow for the player than his club.
The Spaniard limped off following The Gunners’ 2-0 EFL Cup win over Reading, and the result came with a sting in its tail with the revelation that Perez will miss a significant period of time.
Having appeared fleetingly so far this season, the injury sustained after what Arsene Wenger has labelled a deliberate kick by Royals midfielder Danzell Gravenbarch has derailed the 28-year-old’s attempts at finding form.
Since moving from Deportivo La Coruna in late August, the Spaniard has played just 88 minutes of Premier League time, over three appearances.
Perez, however, did notch an assist for Laurent Koscielny’s acrobatic equaliser versus Southampton, as the North Londoners came from behind to win 2-1.
He also bagged a brace in the Gunners’ 4-0 win at The City Ground versus Nottingham Forest in the EFL Cup.
Adjusting to life in not only a different country but a different league has been trying for the forward. The Spaniard has already stated that he expected ‘more of a starring role’ for his new employers.
Competition for places at Arsenal is healthy as ever and unfortunately for Perez right now, that does not leave him in good stead.
As Alexis Sanchez continues to monopolise the forward line to the extent that even Olivier Giroud’s 57 goals in North London may not aid the Frenchman this season.
Perez was recruited to share the burden of goalscoring across Wenger’s side, but in light of Theo Walcott’s resurgent start to the campaign and Alex Iwobi’s continued growth, the only way into the starting XI is to usurp Sanchez in a striking role.
With Wenger finally having ditched loyalty for on-field performance, Perez’s task to cement a starting berth has now become that more demanding.
When he does return, Arsenal’s now almost forgotten man Danny Welbeck will be closing on a clean bill of health himself.
By that time, of course, Arsene Wenger’s now perennial slump may be in motion. In those terms a double return for two first-team players will be, to quote the Frenchman himself, ‘like new signings’.
For the mean though and with Perez already apparently discontented, might the Spaniard’s time in North London be short-lived?