Lucas Perez tells Arsenal he wants out after 'ugly gesture'

Lucas Perez says he feels 'cheated' by Arsenal, according to Spanish website La Voz de Galicia

Lucas Perez has reportedly told Arsenal he wants to leave after feeling "cheated" by the handing over of his No 9 shirt.

Perez has already admitted he would be open to a return to Deportivo La Coruna this summer, having started just three games for Arsenal in the Premier League and Champions League in his first season with the club.

The £17m signing still has hopes of earning a spot in Spain's squad for the 2018 World Cup, and - according to Spanish wesbite La Voz de Galicia - told Arsenal's transfer negotiator Dick Law of his desire to quit the Emirates.

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"I want to leave, to play and be happy," Perez told
Law, according to La Voz de Galicia.
"Last year I barely had any opportunities and when I had them I took advantage of them. And this season is clearly going to be more of the same.

"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."

Arsene Wenger has previously said he wants to keep Perez at Arsenal

Arsenal's record signing of Alexandre Lacazette this summer is likely to limit Perez's first-team opportunities at the club further, and despite Arsene Wenger sympathising with Perez's frustrations, the club's decision to pass over the No 9 shirt to Lacazette is the final straw for Perez.

"They [Arsenal] are not behaving well with me," Perez reportedly told Law. "The thing of taking the shirt number without telling me to give it to a companion, it seems to me the last straw.

"I cannot 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.

Arsenal's latest signing Alexandre Lacazette has been handed Perez's No 9 jersey for the new season

"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.

"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."