Karen Carney has suggested on BT Sport that she believes Arsenal’s Nicolas Pepe would have had words with Unai Emery at full-time after his side’s Europa League clash with Villarreal last night.
Arsenal lost 2-1 to Villarreal in Spain yesterday, but Pepe was a constant menace throughout the tie.
On a night where Arsenal weren’t at their best, Pepe was arguably the Gunners’ star performer.
The Ivorian got his reward for a good performance when he slotted home from the penalty spot.
Pepe’s dsplay may not have only proven a point to Arsenal supporters, but also to Emery in the opposition dugout.
After being sacked by Arsenal, Emery revealed that he wouldn’t have signed Pepe, as he preferred Wilfried Zaha.
And Carney thinks that Pepe may well have reminded his former manager of those comments at full-time.
“Pepe stepping up, slots it down the middle. Brilliant finish.” Carney said.
“He’s had a really good game so far. He’s been positive the whole time, even when it hasn’t come off. He’s kept going and going.
“I think he’s got a point to prove with Emery, saying he prefers Zaha. I think he’ll be saying that to him after the game, ‘you should have always believed in me’.”
Emery’s comments about preferring Zaha have looked to be correct for much of Pepe’s time at Arsenal.
However, more recently the Gunners’ record signing has started to prove his quality.
Pepe has consistently impacted things in the final third in the last few months and he does seem to be progressing.
While he may never live up to the mammoth fee that Arsenal paid for him, he is certainly proving his worth, and his goal last night may well turn out to be his most important action for the club so far.
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