Watch Arsene Wenger condemn 'stupid' tackle as Lucas Perez faces long absence
Arsene Wenger believes the injury that could sideline striker Lucas Perez for eight weeks was caused by a "deliberate kick".
Arsenal manager Wenger accused Reading defender Danzell Gravenberch of making a "stupid" challenge on Perez in Tuesday's 2-0 EFL Cup victory for the Gunners at the Emirates Stadium.
WATCH: @Arsenal's Lucas Perez out for eight weeks but @aaronramsey is back: https://t.co/S6RTZwaBjE #SSNHQ https://t.co/MJ31bBManw
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) October 28, 2016
Perez will now miss a chunk of Arsenal's campaign with an ankle problem, leaving Wenger nonplussed that Dutch defender Gravenberch avoided punishment for the challenge.
Wenger likened Gravenberch's tackle to the challenge that led to a red card for Granit Xhaka in Arsenal's 3-2 win over Swansea on October 15.
"It's very frustrating, of course he is absolutely gutted," said Wenger. "Because it's an injury coming from nowhere, and a stupid one, because it was a deliberate kick,
"It's a similar tackle to Xhaka, but there was no red card. But the red card would not have helped Perez.
"What is most important is that he's out for six to eight weeks."
Wenger claimed Perez would not have been injured at all but for Gravenberch's "frustrated" tackle.
The 22-year-old Reading defender had only been on the field for one minute when producing the tackle that has since put Perez out of action.
"It was not needed," said Wenger of the challenge. "I think it was a more frustrated reaction from the player.
"He had no chance to get the ball like that, but you have to deal with that.
"Sometimes you get away with it, sometimes you get a bad injury. In this case it's unfortunate.
"I think he'll be out for six to eight weeks."
Olivier Giroud and Aaron Ramsey will be available for Arsenal's Premier League trip to Sunderland on Saturday.
France striker Giroud has finally beaten a long-term toe problem, while Ramsey will feature for the first time since the opening day of the season after hamstring trouble.
Nacho Monreal has a "muscular problem" and Theo Walcott a light hamstring issue, with both facing fitness tests ahead of the weekend.
"We have Giroud back available and Aaron Ramsey will be in the squad tomorrow," said Wenger.
"They are available for selection. I have to be a bit cautious, especially with Aaron Ramsey, because he has not played at all yet.
"He has only had one week with the team so I will be a bit cautious with him.
"We are now in November, they have not played so it's good to have them back.
"We have a few uncertainties over Walcott, Monreal, (Santi) Cazorla, but they will all have tests today."
