Rio Ferdinand says he really wants ‘beautiful footballer with skills’ to do well at Arsenal

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Rio Ferdinand said on Rio Ferdinand Presents FIVE that he wants to see Arsenal winger Nicolas Pepe do well.

The former Manchester United defender praised Pepe for his skills, and believes that the winger is struggling to deal with the big price-tag.

The winger joined Arsenal from Lille in the summer of 2019 for a transfer fee reported by BBC Sport to be worth £72 million.

Ferdinand made the comments about Pepe while criticising him for getting sent off against Leeds United at the weekend.

The 25-year-old was dismissed in the opening minutes of the second half of the Premier League game at Elland Road for headbutting Ezgjan Alioski.

Ferdinand said on Rio Ferdinand Presents FIVE, as transcribed by Metro: “I want to see Pepe do well.

“I saw him at Lille, beautiful footballer with skills. He needs to do it at Arsenal. The big fee brings pressure and he’s not dealing with it right now.”

Need to improve

Pepe is a good winger who did well in parts last season, but it is clear that the Ivory Coast international needs to improve and add consistency to his game.

The former Lille star can score goals and create chances, but the winger needs to do it on a regular basis.

Moreover, Pepe needs to show more maturity and more composure on the pitch and must not repeat what he did against Leeds.

According to WhoScored, the winger has scored one goal in eight Premier League matches and has scored two goals and provided two assists in three Europa League games for Arsenal so far this season.