The Gunners’ record signing has struggled to live-up to his €80m price tag after one-and-a-half-years at the Emirates.
Robert Pires believes Nicolas Pepe isn’t cut out for Premier League football and will continue to struggle proving otherwise.
Despite showing flashes of promise, Pepe’s spell at Arsenal has largely been underwhelming. 27 goal contributions (14 goals, 13 assists) in 66 appearances isn’t bad, but his time at the Emirates has been dogged by inconsistency.
And now Pires has dropped a rather bleak outlook on Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta’s hopes of turning things around with Pepe.
“His game doesn’t suit the intensity and demands of the Premier League,” the former Gunners winger told The Sun.
“Pepe wasn’t used to it and it has been complicated for him to change his mentality, to adapt to a new way of training and to settle in a tough league.
“I think he is simply not cut out for English football.”
That said, Pepe did his chances of improving his fortunes no harm last Tuesday by scoring an early equalizer in Arsenal’s 3-1 win over Southampton.
The former Lille star will hope to build on his strong performance at St Mary’s in the Premier League showdown with Manchester United on Saturday.
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