Lucas Perez: 'Arsenal didn't want me to join Deportivo La Coruna'

Lucas Perez has revealed that he had to force through his move to Deportivo La Coruna as Arsenal were keen to offload him to other clubs.

The 28-year-old got the move he craved on deadline day, rejoining the Spanish side on loan for the remainder of the 2017-18 campaign.

Perez was restricted to 21 appearances for the Gunners, just nine of which were starts, though a number of teams - Newcastle United among them - were still keen to take him off Arsenal's hands.

Speaking at his unveiling at the Riazor, the Spaniard said: "I'm where I want to be. I have a right to decide what is going to happen with my future and what I want to do.

"Arsenal understood that and I'm grateful to them. They understood my situation and the fact that I wanted to return home. Arsenal defended their own interests, they initially didn't want me to return to Deportivo.

"They have reached agreements with many clubs but I clearly told them that my intention was to join Depor and no other alternative."

Perez joined Arsenal from Deportivo last summer for a fee of £17m on the back of netting 17 goals in 37 games in the 2015-16 season.