With news that Olivier Giroud is set to miss Arsenal's EFL Cupquarter finalagainst Southampton midweek, Lucas Perez is expected to make areturn for the Gunners and lead the front line.
According to theTelegraphthe Spaniard, who was originally expected to be out for eight weeks, is ready to startfor ArseneWenger's side on Wednesday.
Absent since last month due toan ankle injury, Perez is still looking to find his feetfollowing his summer move from Deportivo La Coruna.
I like Lucas Perez style, intelligent nd sleek.
Bt my man needs to raise his confidence and start banging goals
£17M wasn't for sleek play
The strikerhas struggled with fitness since his arrival in London and is yet to reach the level of performance Arsenal fans would've expected from their £17m man.
The versatile attacker has only startedthree games for the Gunners,two of whichhave come in the EFL Cup. His only two goals for Arsene Wenger's side camein the samecompetition.
Following what Arsene Wenger called a 'stupid foul' against Reading in the last round, Spanish forward Perez was initially predicted an eight-week spell on the sidelines.
Lucas Perez. 2 goals and 3 assists in 182 minutes with Arsenal. 2+1 against Nottingham Forest and 2 assists against Ludogorets. #afc
His EFL Cupperformance at Nottingham Forest and his Champions League game againstLudogoretshad filled fans with a lot of hope and expectation for what the Spaniard could provide for their team.
Perez struggled in his first few months in England and will be hoping that his injury won't disturbthe form he had demonstrated before his setback.
The Telegraph also report that Wenger is set to rest attackers Alexis Sanchez and Theo Walcottfor the game on Wednesday, ahead of Arsenal's London derby against West Ham on Saturday.
This leaves the stage all set for Perez to make an emphatic return and hopefully, for Arsenal fans, help his side reach the next stage of the EFL Cup.