Alan Smith has suggested on Stadium Astro that he does not think that Nicolas Pepe will come good for Arsenal.
The former Arsenal star, who now works as a pundit for Sky Sports, has pointed out that Pepe, 25, is in his second year at the Gunners, and has said that the winger looks short on football intelligence.
Smith said about Pepe on Stadium Astro when asked if the winger will come good: “I am not so sure. He is in his second season now, it’s not like he is still adjusting, settling into a new country, to a new league.
“He is one of those players that can produce a little bit of magic, he can cut inside and whip one into the top left-hand corner, but I know there are occasions when his football intelligence looks short. It’s not as if he had been tearing up trees for long period back in France from where he came.”
Nicolas Pepe Stats
Pepe joined Arsenal from Lille in the summer of 2019 and has struggled to be consistent in his game.
According to WhoScored, the winger made 22 starts and nine substitute appearances in the Premier League for the Gunners last season, scoring five goals and providing six assists in the process.
The Ivory Coast international also made two starts and four substitute appearances in the Europa League for the North London club in 2019-20, scoring two goals and providing two assists in the process, according to WhoScored.
So far this season, Pepe has made four starts and eight substitute appearances in the league, scoring two goals in the process, and has scored three goals and providing three assists in six Europa League games, according to WhoScored.
Staying positive
Pepe can play well and can score some superb goals, but the winger does need to be more consistent.
The winger is not a young player anymore, and the 25-year-old has to work hard on his consistency.
However, the Arsenal fans should stay positive that Pepe will come good eventually.
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