French outlet Maxi Foot have described the performance of on-loan Arsenal attacker Nicolas Pepe as “quite messy” despite the Gunners man scoring the only goal of the game in Nice’s 1-0 win over Czech Republic side Slovacko.
Pepe, 27, was allowed to join Nice on loan by Arsenal in the summer. Nice have brought in a number of players from the Premier League – including Joe Bryan, Ross Barkley and Kasper Schmeichel. Aaron Ramsey is also on board.
The Ivory Coast international has started five of the six Ligue 1 games he has been available for – playing 30 minutes in the other game, a 2-1 loss to PSG. He started against Slovacko, his ninth outing for Nice, and scored the winner.
Only his second goal for Nice, but a goal and a winner in the Czech Republic nonetheless. However, Maxi Foot were not impressed with his overall display, giving him 6.5/10 – claiming his performance, like many, was “quite messy”.
“Among the most active, the winger ended up being rewarded with scoring Nice’s goal. Symbol of his determination, the Ivorian also had two other shots on target. He was quite messy, like his teammates, but he showed a lot of will.”
On-loan Arsenal attacker Pepe ‘quite messy’ in Nice’s win
Pepe is playing for his career. The chances of him returning to Arsenal and re-establishing himself in Mikel Arteta’s plans look slim. There have been question marks over his attitude and when that is the case, Arteta normally sells.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Mesut Ozil and Matteo Guendouzi are prime examples. But Pepe is playing for his future, and a potential move to another club in the future. He has made a decent, if not noticeable start at Nice.
Scoring the winner and getting his second goal for the club will certainly boost his confidence. But is must be said that if any Arsenal player is convincing Arteta on loan at a French club, it is Folarin Balogun at Stade Reims.
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