MIKEL ARTETA reckons Arsenal’s record signing Nicolas Pepe is ready to go to the ‘next level’.
The 25-year-old has certainly failed to live up to the hype since his whopping £72million move from Lille.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has praised the recent performances of Nicolas PepeCredit: Getty Images – Getty
But the Ivorian has shown glimpses on his undoubted quality in recent outings.
Pepe has started the last four Premier League games, where he has found the back of the net on two occasions.
In total, in 27 matches in all competitions this term, he has chipped in with seven goals and three assists.
That leaves Pepe just one strike shy of equalling his tally from last season, and Arteta says he has witnessed a noticeable difference in the winger.
Speaking ahead of Sunday’s clash against Leeds – the club Pepe was shown a straight red card against in November – Arteta said: “I think he’s done much much better.
“I think there has been a click with him, even in his mentality, how he’s approaching every training session, the importance of every action in the game and how he can sustain his focus and his determination during games.
“I really like his attitude. What’s he’s done in the last few weeks I think it’s been much better.
“He still has a lot of room to improve and grow and he’s willing to do that so I’m expecting him to go to the next level very soon.”
But it seems not everyone is as impressed with Pepe as boss, after Ivory Coast team-mate Wilfried Zaha complained about his SNORING.
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Commenting on his bedroom antics, he told the On the Judy podcast: “Oh my days. Nicolas Pepe. I asked to leave the room.
“I went and asked to leave the room because he sounded like a motorbike.
“It was mad, it was crazy. I was like, ‘No’.
“These are the first times as well when I went [with Ivory Coast].
“They let me move and share rooms with Salomon Kalou. And he was like ‘Bro, I know.'”
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Wilfried Zaha says Arsenal star Nicolas Pepe snoring sounds like motorbike engine
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
