Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has hailed Lucas Perez after the striker scored his first goals for the club in the EFL Cup third round victory over Nottingham Forest.

The Gunners booked their place in the fourth round of the EFL Cup after a comfortable 4-0 victory over the Reds at City Ground on Tuesday.

A powerful shot by Granit Xhaka in the 23rd minute handed the Gunners the lead after Forest goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic could only manage a get a touch on the ball.

However, Arsenal extended their lead when Chuba Akpom was brought down in the penalty area by Michael Mancienne and Perez made no mistake from the spot to score his first goal for the club.

The Spaniard then completed his brace in the 71st minute before Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain added a late fourth in the second minute of injury time.

The 66-year-old manager believes Perez started growing in confidence after netting the first goal and he showed real determination to score his second goal of the night.

‘Of course, a striker is always growing when he scores goals and I felt that he has shown tonight – I liked his second goal because it was not only technique but it was determination, to fight for the ball and finish,’ Wenger told the Arsenal website.

‘I liked as well the part he played in the goal of Oxlade-Chamberlain because it shows that he can combine with other people and that he is an intelligent player.’

Arsenal against Chelsea kicks off at 18:30.

Image: Arsenal website