The Liverpool legend believes that there is a “real player” in Pepe, and hopes that the Ivory Coast international can follow in the footsteps of Arsenal great Thierry Henry.
Souness wrote about Pepe in The Times: “It could be that British football is not for him, but I reckon there’s a real player in there.
“Thierry Henry is Arsenal’s greatest player — and probably the Premier League’s. He went to Italy and it didn’t happen for him, then came to England and it did.
“I hope that’s the case for Pepe and he fulfils the potential I’ve seen glimpses of.”
Stats
Pepe joined Arsenal from Lille in the summer of 2019 for a transfer fee reported by BBC Sport to be worth £72 million.
Much was expected of the winger he arrived at the Emirates Stadium, as he came with a strong reputation.
According to WhoScored, the 24-year-old scored 22 goals and provided 11 assists in Ligue 1 for Lille last season, while back in 2017-18, he scored 13 goals and provided four assists in the league.
However, the winger has failed to live up to hype and expectations so far this season.
According to WhoScored, Pepe has made 17 starts and seven substitute appearances in the Premier League for Arsenal so far this campaign, scoring four goals and providing six assists in the process.
The Ivory Coast international also made two starts and four substitute appearances in the Europa League for the Gunners this campaign, scoring two goals and providing two assists in the process, according to WhoScored.
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