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LUC AT ME

Arsenal’s forgotten man reports for pre-season training early to impress Unai Emery

The Spanish striker has struggled since moving to the Gunners in 2016, but hopes the new manager will give him more of a chance

By Adam Storer
29th June 2018, 6:09 pm
Updated: 30th June 2018, 11:12 am

LUCAS PEREZ have begun pre-season training early at Arsenal as he bids to get into Unai Emery’s good books, according to reports.

The Spanish forward has had a torrid time since joining the Gunners two years ago.

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Lucas Perez has struggled for game time since joining Arsenal but hopes that will change under Emery
Reuters
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Lucas Perez has struggled for game time since joining Arsenal but hopes that will change under Emery

But he is determined to prove his worth to the new manager as Arsenal begin a new chapter in their history under Emery, as per the Daily Mirror.

Perez was brought to Arsenal after scoring 17 goals in La Liga with Deportivo La Coruna.

But quickly found himself stuck on the bench, managing just two starts in the Premier in his debut season at the Emirates Stadium.

He did score a hat-trick against Basel in the Champions League, but wasn’t enough to warrant a regular place in the team under Arsene Wenger.

Unai Emery chatted to fans alongside Ivan Gazidis at an Arsenal supporters' event in North London
Getty - Contributor
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Unai Emery chatted to fans alongside Ivan Gazidis at an Arsenal supporters’ event in North London

Lucas Perez could not stop Deportivo being relegated on loan last season and has turned up to London Colney early in a bid to turn Unai Emery's head
EPA
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Lucas Perez could not stop Deportivo being relegated on loan last season and has turned up to London Colney early in a bid to turn Unai Emery’s head

The 29-year-old was subsequently sent on loan to his old club last year but still believes he has a shot at making it at Arsenal, especially with Emery’s arrival.

With some Gunners players away on World Cup duty, Perez is hoping to use the next few weeks to work his way into the squad under the new boss.

Protio Sport agency, who the Spaniard a client of, said: “There is interest from some teams, but he is a player of Arsenal and his desire is to succeed there.”