The Liverpool legend – who now works as a pundit for Sky Sports – has faith in the 25-year-old Ivory Coast international winger despite his underwhelming performances for Arsenal last season.
Souness believes that Pepe has yet to grasp “the intensity and physicality of the Premier”.
Souness wrote in The Times: “I still see a player in Nicolas Pepe, too, and I’m hoping he has a big year because he’s not really grasped the intensity and physicality of the Premier League yet.”
Arsenal spell so far
Pepe joined Arsenal from Lille in the summer of 2019 for a transfer fee reported by BBC Sport to be worth £72 million.
According to WhoScored, the 25-year-old 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 last season, scoring two goals and providing two assists in the process, according to WhoScored.
The winger has played 42 minutes in the Premier League for the Gunners so far this season, according to WhoScored.
Pepe is a very good winger who could turn on the style for Arsenal this season.
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