Arsene Wenger believes that if Lucas Perez can transfer what he’s doing in training sessions onto the pitch, his chances of improving and growing in confidence are higher.

When we signed Lucas Perez from Deportivo for £17m on the penultimate day of the transfer window, most of us, Lucas included, thought he would feature a little heavier than he has done.

“When I first arrived here I expected to have more of a starring role,” the 28-year-old revealed recently.

Of course, many of us didn’t predict that Alexis, who initially seemed isolated and static as a lone striker, would carve out his own role up front. We assumed that Lucas would be Plan B while Olivier Giroud would remain first choice.

This isn’t how it panned out and not just because Oli injured his toe.

Lucas is yet to make a start in the Premier League but when he got the nod against Nottingham Forest in the EFL Cup, he scored a brace and assisted Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain during the 4-0 victory.

He also managed two assists, both for Mesut Ozil, in Arsenal’s 6-0 Champions League win against Ludogorets.

“He did extremely well against Ludogorets because he came on and gave two great goals,” Wenger told Arsenal’s official website.

He added, “I believe he has the potential to be a great player for us. In training he continues to show he has the potential to play, he now has to transfer that into the games. 

“The more he does that – against Reading he will have an opportunity – the more we will be tempted to say, ‘let’s do it’.”

Obviously, none of us know better than Wenger. He sees Lucas everyday in training and knows how capable he is of coming on and making an impact.

It’ll be good to see him against Reading; hopefully he enjoys himself and puts in another solid display.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAPCi3hOh0A