Lucas Perez Injury: Arsenal Striker Reportedly Out 6 Weeks with Ankle Problem

Arsenal forward Lucas Perez has an ankle injury that is reportedly set to keep him out for six weeks.

Eduardo Fernandez-Abascal of the International Business Times (h/t the Sun's Fred Nathan) reported that the Spanish striker suffered the problem during the Gunners' recent 2-0 win over Reading in the EFL Cup fourth round. 

Nathan also noted how Royals centre-back Danzell Gravenberch made the challenge that forced Perez out of the game. The reporter listed the matches the 28-year-old is likely to miss: "The forward is expected to miss the whole of November...which includes three key games against Spurs, Manchester United and PSG—the latter in the Champions League."

It's an obvious blow for a player who joined the Emirates Stadium club in the summer from Deportivo La Coruna, after manager Arsene Wenger finally added to his options at the point of the attack.

Given there have been concerns about Arsenal’s forward options in the past, Perez's injury is likely to trigger further worries among the Gunners fanbase. Yet Olivier Giroud is a strong deputy and a proven Premier League goalscorer who made his return against Reading. However, the French target man doesn’t possess the same pace and dynamism up top when compared to Perez.

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Those same qualities have helped Alexis Sanchez effectively spearhead the Arsenal forward line this season in tandem with Theo Walcott. Their combination has proved to be lethal in the Premier League.

Still, this injury thins the ranks that were already depleted by Danny Welbeck's extended spell on the treatment table. The former Manchester United forward isn't expected back until January.

As for Perez, he's endured a testing start to life at the Emirates while adapting to the rigours of the English game. He's scored twice in League Cup action and chipped in with a pair of assists in the UEFA Champions League, per WhoScored.com.

However, he recently told Spanish radio station Onda Cero (h/t Richard Arrowsmith of MailOnline) how he'd expected more playing time when he signed for Arsenal.

Perez needs to make a quick recovery and resume trying to convince Wenger he merits more minutes.