Shkodran Mustafi: ‘Lucas Perez will thrive at Arsenal’

Shkodran Mustafi and Lucas Perez are expected to make their full Arsenal debuts against Southampton on Saturday, Goal UK understands.

“Mustafi has been earmarked to partner Laurent Koscielny at centre-back, but it’s not so clear whether Perez’s future lies at centre-forward or on the flank”.

“With the top three off to ideal starts and already looking impressive, Arsenal need to put together a winning run just to stay in contention”.

You’re only as good as your last game, so the old adage goes, and if that runs true then Wenger has picked up an absolute steal for £17.1 million, as Perez bagged a goal and an assist in his last game for Deportivo.

Nevertheless, based on the images below and the fact that Wenger has insisted that the pair have “settled very quickly and very well”, Gunners fans could get their first glimpse of their star duo this weekend. The only player definitely out is Aaron Ramsey, who will miss Tuesday’s Champions League game against PSG.

Wenger will also have good reason to watch the game from a professional point of view.

Puel: “It’s a hard game for us, but it will also be hard for Arsenal because we have plenty of qualities in our team, they have come back with all of the global players and now it’s a complete team of Arsenal after the transfer window closed”.

In an attempt to reverse his side’s fortunes thus far Claude Puel broke the club’s transfer record to bring in attacking midfielder Sofiane Bougal.

Speaking about his fellow Frenchman, Puel said: “Before signing for Southampton I spoke with him about the possibilities to coach in England”.

“It’s the first time we can compete against each other and it’s a pleasure of course because he was a very important person for me and he’s a great manager”.

Think you can do better than Lawro? “I believe he is equipped to have a big impact in the Premier League”. Perhaps he comes back in six months to nine months.

Arsenal are looking to win the Premier League for the first time since 2004, having clinched second previous year for their best finish in a decade.

The Gunners have not lost back-to-back home fixtures in the Premier League since August 2011.

Mesut Ozil scored in Arsenal’s 3-1 win at Watford, but hasn’t netted a league goal at the Emirates since December.

“Mustafi is a player I like”.

Saints have not keep a clean sheet in their last 15 games, all of which were in the top flight.

The involvement of Alexis Sanchez and David Ospina is uncertain after a late return from global duty with Chile and Colombia respectively but Alex Iwobi is fit after a suffering a thigh problem on the opening day of the season.

Germany worldwide Mustafi joined on the same day in a £35million deal from Valencia, a team Perez scored twice against last season on his way to a 17-goal haul in La Liga.