Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger spoke to the press today and, as per usual, had to field a number of questions about Alexis Sanchez.
The veteran Frenchman confirmed that the 28-year-old Chilean forward would not be leaving despite the players wishes.
Sanchez wants to play in the Champions League but Arsenal failed to finish in the top four last season so will play in the Europa League instead.
The Gunners are adamant on their position not to sell, despite the key player having less than one year left on his contract.
Sanchez will be able to leave on a free transfer next summer.
The addition of club record signing Alexandre Lacazette means Wenger has too many strikers on the books.
Theo Walcott is always in and around the first team, Danny Welbeck has returned to full fitness and Olivier Giroud will be hopeful of reclaiming his place in the first XI.
Giroud is being heavily linked with a move to Everton but Wenger today informed reporters which striker he intends to offload.
"Yes [Lucas Perez will leave], because we have a congestion of strikers," revealed Wenger. "I don’t like to lose him but we have many strikers.
"At some stage too much competition is not competition any more."
Lucas Perez is reportedly a target for newly promoted Newcastle United whilst clubs in Spain have also been linked.
The Spanish forward, signed for £17.1m from Deportivo last summer, was upset that his number 9 shirt was handed to Lacazette without being asked.
His finest moment in an Arsenal shirt surely came in the 4-1 Champions League victory over Basel in which he scored a 47 minute hat-trick.
Perez was only handed two Premier League starts despite scoring 17 La Liga goals in the previous campaign.
Arsenal's 17/18 season begins on Sunday when they face London rivals Chelsea in the Community Shield final at Wembley.
Their Premier League campaign kicks off next Friday night when they welcome Leicester City to the Emirates.