Report: Arsenal players have been seriously impressed by Emery signing

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Arsenal players and staff have reportedly been left impressed by Nicolas Pepe in recent weeks following his return from the Africa Cup of Nations.

According to the Athletic, the Ivory Coast international has been the centre of much discussion between employees of the Gunners both playing and non-playing since coming back from Cameroon.

Pepe was impressive for the Elephants during the 2022 AFCON championship, and since coming back, the attacker has looked in stunning form for Arsenal in the training, with Mikel Arteta lauding the winger in recent weeks for his increase in commitment.

The 26-year-old was crucial in last week’s 2-1 win against Wolves with Pepe coming off the bench to score and assist in the final ten minutes to give Arsenal one of the biggest wins of the season so far.

Indeed, Pepe might still be Arsenal’s club-record signing after Unai Emer spent a reported £72m to bring the attacker from LOSC Lille. However, the forward might now be hitting his stride with the Gunners after returning from AFCON.

Pepe has always shown sparks of quality throughout his time at Arsenal, yet his brief performance against Wolvers was something supporters have not seen from the Ivorian in some time, and fans should be excited.

Pepe’s resurgence can lead Arsenal to a top-four finish

For a while, Pepe looked like a lost cause and the most extreme example of Arsenal wasting money on a player who doesn’t fit the system. Now, though, the African seems to have turned his fortunes around and could play a key role in the coming months.

With Arsenal lacking a natural goalscorer, Pepe could be the man to lead this baton with the winger exhibiting on Thursday just how potent he can be when on form. And for Arteta, this form could be the genuine difference between a top-four finish or another eighth-place standing.