Arsenal manager Unai Emery has said that Nicolas Pepe has a “big career” at Arsenal but needs to be able to absorb the pressure of being the club’s record signing.
Pepe, 24, joined the club from Lille for £72m in the summer and has yet to find the form that urged the manager to bring him to the Emirates.
After scoring 37 goals from 79 appearances for Les Dogues last season, the Ivorian is still settling into life in north London after just one goal in his first seven Premier League games.
Unai Emery was very forceful in his defence of Nicolas Pepe today, insisting he can have a “big career” at Arsenal but urging him to embrace the pressure of being the club record signing https://t.co/A4LGc5bTwB
— James Benge (@jamesbenge) October 2, 2019
Supporters were quick to rush to the defence of Pepe. One fan suggested that Pepe needs more creativity around him to get chances and score goals. Another supporter criticised the Spanish manager wondering why he has no confidence in star midfielder Mesut Ozil.
Here you will find some of the best comments from Arsenal fans:
Why not have such confidence in Ozil?
— Thunderbolt? (@Dheerbhagat) October 3, 2019
Currently nobody in our team to open up space for Pepe or link with him. Our #10 is jailed in Emery’s basement and Auba invades space. This guy is expecting Pepe to create his own chances, take on ppl & score and has the audacity to talk about the pressure on the guy lol jokeman
— Jeanne d’Arc #FreeÖzil (@MssBrunette) October 2, 2019
Maybe the guy needs some creativity on the field to supply him.
— Manj Grewal (@ManjGrewal) October 2, 2019
Perhaps Senor Emery should provide him with creative midfielders to help him somewhat. Playing negative, cowardly football and relying on Aubameyang and Pepe to provide everything is hardly going to help his confidence…clueless man.
— Jason O’ Hara (@Yurt1992) October 2, 2019
Bruh….just let the kid play. Do we have a choice after splashing 72 million quid? At least he puts in an effort game in and out.
— Ram (@jsuswaram) October 2, 2019
So how is Unai Emery helping him? Playing 3 DMS? And Pepe not having support at all, #UnaiEmeryOut
— Shaatie (@sharonshaatramn) October 2, 2019
Whatever Emery interacts with automatically turns into a non-interesting & dull thing in football ( I wasn’t before but now I’m worried about Pepe ?)
Imagine teaching dribbles & stuff to one of the most exciting player in EU instead of providing him with a good number 10 along
— ? KittoO ?? (@IamKitto0) October 3, 2019
Other team have creative player to supply their goalscorer. MC with kdb, Liverpool with firmino and fullback, mount jorginho, buendia for Norwich, Maddison and etc yet senor emery is so scared and negative with his approach.
— nabil (@nabilrahim_) October 3, 2019
