Arsenal star Lucas Perez confirms he is 'meeting the deadlines' in his ankle injury

Arsenal star Lucas Perez has confirmed that he is doing a good progress in the recovery from the ligament ankle injury he sustained during the EFL Cup fourth-round victory over Reading on 25 October. The Spaniard said that he is "meeting the deadlines" of the rehabilitation as he hopes to be back available for Arsene Wenger as soon as possible in order to continue his adaptation to the Premier League.

The 28-year-old number nine was forced off in the 72nd minute of the game with Reading after Danzell Gravenberch caught his left ankle with a heavy tackle.

Medical test later confirmed the worst thoughts for the Arsenal fans as he was ruled out for between six and eight weeks. The Spaniard has subsequently missed the Arsenal last three games and, in the best case scenario, is not expected to be back available before the Champions League encounter with Basel on 6 December.

Lucas has been given permission by Arsenal to return to his former side Deportivo la Coruna to continue the rehabilitation in his homeland.

And asked during an interview with Radio Station Cadena Cope when he plans to return to action, Lucas said: "I have been 15 days out and they told me it would be between six and eight weeks. The ankle is reacting well. We are meeting the deadlines. Now I am just thinking in recovering as soon as possible and that the manager (Arsene Wenger) will give me more minutes as he was doing before the injury."

Wenger hit out at Reading defender Gravenberch following the injury, accusing the player of deliberately kicking Lucas in a "stupid" tackle.

Lucas, as quoted by Marca in another interview with the Spanish reporters, admits he doesn't understand "what the player (Gravenberch)" was trying to do but adding that has not any hard feelings toward him.

"It was a shame to get injured in the Cup game, just when the manager (Wenger) was trusting more in me, giving me more chances to play, but (injuries) are just occupational hazards. It's a risk you have in this sport. When I arrived to Deportivo I also suffered an injury and I have to fight. No one said that the beginnings were easy," the Arsenal star added.

Meanwhile, Lucas said that, despite his injury, he is enjoying his new experience in London, while pointing out that the having the likes of Hector Bellerin, Santi Cazorla and Nacho Monreal close is helping him to settle in the Premier League.

"The adaptation (to Arsenal) has been very good, the Spaniards and the Latinos are treating me very well, also the French, the English... It is a club where they are very adapted to the Spanish life because there are many Spaniards and the treatment is magnificent."