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Just when you thought it was safe to enjoy the new squad’s depth, the Arsenal injury curse strikes again. Lucas Perez is expected to be out until December after leaving the team’s 2-0 EFL Cup win over Reading in the 72nd minute with damage to the ligaments of his left ankle.
The blow to Arsenal’s forward numbers comes at a particularly inconvenient time as the November fixture list includes Champions League matches against Ludogorets and PSG, league games against Spurs, Manchester United and Bournemouth, and the EFL Cup quarterfinal against Southampton.
Perez hasn’t seen loads of playing time since joining the Gunners this summer, but has made his chances count with two goals and two assists in just three starts and three substitute appearances across all competitions for Arsenal.
The good news is that the 28-year-old’s injury coincides with Olivier Giroud’s return, and with Alexis Sanchez firing at the moment Arsenal has options at center forward. An injury to the in-form Theo Walcott, on the other hand, could complicate things on the right wing.