Nicolas Pepe joined Unai Emery’s Arsenal in the summer transfer window.
Paul Merson has criticised Arsenal winger Nicolas Pepe in The Daily Star.
The former Arsenal and Aston Villa star has suggested that the 24-year-old Ivory Coast international – who can also operate as a forward – is not doing enough for the Gunners at the moment.
Merson has said that Arsenal manager Unai Emery needs to make the defence stronger and has to make sure that his team win against Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium in North London in the Premier League on Sunday evening.
Merson wrote in The Daily Star: “Emery will have to change his ways or he’ll soon be out of a job. If they don’t beat Aston Villa at the Emirates tomorrow, the fans might start to turn.
“And Nicolas Pepe needs to pull his finger out too. He hasn’t looked anything like a £72m footballer so far.”
Stats
Pepe joined Arsenal from Lille in the summer transfer window for a fee reported by BBC Sport to be worth £72 million.
So far this season, the winger has made three starts and two substitute appearances in the Premier League for the Gunners, providing one assist in the process, according to WhoScored.
The 24-year-old also provided one assist in 31 minutes in the Europa League for Emery’s side this campaign, according to WhoScored.
Defensive improvement needed
Arsenal need to improve defensively if they are to comfortably finish in the top four of the Premier League and go far in the Europa League this season.
The Gunners could have conceded against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League on Thursday, while they shipped in two goals against both Watford and Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League this month.
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