Lucas Perez has spoken out after his agent claimed he wanted to leave Arsenal “at all costs” after becoming frustrated with a lack of game time at the Gunners.
The summer signing has made just two starts for the club this season and has struggled to force his way into Arsene Wenger’s starting XI.
Perez scored the opening goal in Monday’s 2-0 win over Sutton in the FA Cup with Wenger admitting after the game he was pushing for starts now.
The 28-year-old says that while he does want to play more he understands there is competition for places and that he must prove his worth to Wenger
“Arsenal are a big team and the competition for places is big. Everyone wants to play and it’s normal. Today I am happy because I played and scored a goal,” he told Cadena Cope.
“Now I need to continue like this to convince the boss to trust more on me. Obviously everyone expects to play more. After I scored the hat-trick [against Basel] the boss did not count much with me.
“But that also means that team-mates are very good. The team have not had a bad streak of losing three or four matches in a row.
“The competition is great and you have to wait for your moment to make the most of the opportunity when it arrives.”
Perez has also backed manager Wenger who has come in for fierce criticism following the mauling by Bayern.
“It’s normal that after the defeat to Bayern there were criticisms. At the moment he does not transmit us the idea that he is going to leave, but we do not know what’s going on in his mind,” he added.
“He is very excited about this season. He is calm. He has been here for a long time and has a lot of experience. He will know what is best for the club and for him.
“In the Champions League we have a very complicated game. Bayern are one of the best teams in the world and after conceding five goals it will be very difficult. But we will fight to try to win the match at home.”