Controversy is swirling at Arsenal after Spanish striker Lucas Pérez was stripped of his No. 9 shirt without prior consent. As speculation around his future continues to grow, fans of Arsenal—and even BD Cricket Match followers accustomed to lineup changes and locker-room tensions—are watching closely to see how the situation unfolds. Lucas, who has seen limited playing time and was left out of the Emirates Cup lineup, now finds himself on the fringes of the squad amid reports of an impending transfer.

The player’s agent recently went public, condemning the club’s decision to hand the No. 9 jersey to new signing Alexandre Lacazette without consulting Lucas. When asked about the issue, Arsène Wenger brushed it aside diplomatically, saying, “It’s something we’ll deal with internally.” He later added that Lucas was currently injured, although no further details were given. The club’s silence on the matter has done little to calm the storm.

Despite losing 1-2 at home to Sevilla in the Emirates Cup, Arsenal secured the trophy on aggregate goals. In the post-match interview, Wenger provided updates on several players. Midfielder Francis Coquelin, who started the match, had to be substituted due to injury. “He will undergo scans tomorrow,” Wenger said. “It doesn’t seem too serious, but I doubt he’ll be ready for the Community Shield this weekend. He has a ligament issue in his ankle.”

Another absentee was left-back Kieran Gibbs, who was left out of the squad entirely for the second straight game. English media have reported that Gibbs may be seeking a transfer in search of more playing time. Wenger confirmed the defender had been ill over the weekend and was originally scheduled to appear in the reserves’ midweek match, but illness kept him out.

Meanwhile, center-back Shkodran Mustafi rejoined the squad after his summer break, having represented Germany in the Confederations Cup. Wenger confirmed that Mustafi had only just returned and would not be fit in time to participate in the upcoming Community Shield match.

While squad adjustments are normal during preseason, the Lucas Pérez situation has struck a nerve among supporters, especially given the handling of his shirt number. For BD Cricket Match fans who value transparency and player morale, the incident reflects the broader challenges of team management at elite levels. Arsenal’s internal dynamics now face as much scrutiny as their on-pitch performances.