Lucas Perez feels 'cheated' by Arsene Wenger and hits out at Arsenal for broken promises

He wants to return to Deportivo La Coruna to give himself a chance of making the World Cup squad

Lucas Perez has launched a scathing attack on Arsene Wenger and Arsenal after telling the club he feels “cheated” by them.

The Spaniard joined the Gunners during the transfer window last summer for a reported £17m but has seen his chances limited, making only 11 Premier League appearances and scoring just a single goal.

He wanted to leave for China in January but had his money-spinning move blocked by Wenger, who said he needed him for the rest of the season before promising that he would increase the 28-year-old’s playing time.

But that did not happen and Perez accused Wenger of broken promises and spoke of his annoyance of losing the No 9 shirt to new signing Alexandre Lacazette during a fiery meeting with club official Dick Law.

According to Spanish newspaper La Voz de Galicia, Perez said: “I feel cheated. In February I was not allowed to leave for China with the promise that I would play more and after that I had even fewer opportunities.

“But the shirt number is an ugly gesture. On the [pre-season] trip, Lacazette asked the boss and he accepted. Afterwards, he told me.

“Last year he (Wenger) told me that he understood that I was upset. I think this season things will get worse, so help me out.

“Since I have been a professional footballer, I've felt happiest in Deportivo, surrounded by my family and my friends. Put yourself in my place.

“I know I have chances to play for the national team. To play at the World Cup. But for that I have to play and I have to be happy. That's why I want to go back to Coruna.

“They (Arsenal) are not behaving well with me. To take the shirt number without telling me and to give it to a companion — it seems to me that it is the last straw.

“I can't continue this way. I have given everything, but that has not been reciprocated, so I can't stand it any longer. I want to leave and be happy.”