Summer signing Lucas Perez admits he expected more of a ‘starring role’ at Arsenal this season.
Arsenal signed Perez from Deportivo La Coruna over the summer after matching his £17.1m buyout clause, but the 28-year-old has struggled to find a way into Arsene Wenger’s plans.
Theo Walcott’s strong start to the season has seen Perez forced to accept time on the bench and now the Spanish striker is looking to make the most of his chances to impress.
“When I first arrived here I expected to have more of a starring role,” Perez told Onda Cero, via The Sun. “The team-mates that are playing in my position are doing a great job. We have won seven games in a row and, at the end of the day, the coach wants what is best for the team.
“I had hoped to have more playing time, but what I have to do now is make the most of opportunities I get.”
Perez started all but three of Deportivo’s league matches last season and finished the campaign with 17 goals for a side that finished 15th in La Liga. However, Perez has only featured in a combined 92 minutes in league and European competition for Arsenal this season, although did net twice in their League Cup triumph over Nottingham Forest earlier this season.
Despite only coming off the bench to feature in the last 28 minutes of their 6-0 win over Ludogorets in the Champions League on Wednesday Perez still managed to register two assists.
In fact, only Manchester City’s Leroy Sane (1 every 11 minutes) is requiring fewer minutes per assist in the Champions League this season than Perez (1 every 14 minutes).
For more stats on Lucas Perez, click here to visit his WhoScored player page
