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Arsenal forward Lucas Perez could make return from injury in EFL Cup tie

Arsenal striker Lucas Perez is available for Wednesday's EFL Cup quarterfinal at home to Southampton after recovering from an ankle injury, but Olivier Giroud misses out with a groin problem.

Perez was injured in the Gunners' EFL Cup match against Reading in October but could return for Arsene Wenger's team.

Giroud suffered an injury in Sunday's win over Bournemouth in the Premier League, while Alexis Sanchez is likely to be rested.

"Lucas is in the squad and we will have a mixture of youth and experience, but still 90 percent of the first team squad," Wenger told the official Arsenal website.

Wenger has rested stars including Sanchez, Mesut Ozil, Petr Cech and Laurent Koscielny in the EFL Cup so far this season.

The Gunners are without Mathieu Debuchy, who injured a hamstring after 15 minutes against Bournemouth -- his first appearance of the season.

"Mathieu has had a scan today but we don't have the results yet," Wenger added.