Mohamed Elneny has hailed Nicolas Pepe for what the winger offers both on the pitch at the Emirates Stadium and in the Gunners’ dressing room, while speaking to Arsenal Player.
Mikel Arteta has rarely utilised Pepe so far this term with the Ivory Coast international only playing 14 games. Just 11 of his appearances and five of eight starts have also been during Premier League fixtures, with his last top-flight opening call coming back on October 18.
Pepe has mostly spent his campaign since facing Crystal Palace on matchday eight as just a spectator. The 26-year-old has been an unused substitute 10 times, and has only played 59-minutes over his five subsequent outings. Two of his cameos were below 10-minutes.
Pepe has impressed both Arsenal’s players and staff at London Colney since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations, however. The Athletic note he is transmitting a ‘different energy’ at the Gunners’ training ground after enjoying a strong AFCON with two goals and an assist.
His form in training then extended onto the Emirates pitch with the £72m star scoring their equaliser against Wolves. Pepe added a dynamic spark off Arteta’s bench and struck a first league goal this season. He also fed Alexandre Lacazette for the winning Jose Sa own goal.
Elneny hails ‘incredible’ Arsenal teammate Pepe
Elneny loves Pepe for what the winger can give Arsenal and adds to the environment in the dressing room. He also praises the forward for his strong AFCON, but revels in Egypt being the side to end Ivory Coast’s run in the last 16 on route to reaching the final last month.
“I love him,” Elneny said. “He’s a really kind player from outside the pitch and really funny in the dressing room. He’s an amazing player on the pitch, incredible player and he played a really, really good tournament [at AFCON]. But, of course, I’m happy to win against him.”
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