The Ivory Coast international has struggled to make his mark at Arsenal following his club-record €80 million arrival in 2019.
Nicolas Pepe must prove his worth in what is a crucial season for his career, says former Arsenal striker Kevin Campbell.
Despite flashes of promise, Pepe has largely struggled to live up to expectations in London. The Ivorian has been in and out of Mikel Arteta’s squad all season so far. In fact, he has played just five minutes of football across the club’s last three Premier League fixtures.
Arteta has instead preferred playing Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe down the flanks recently, and the pair have impressed.
Therefore, amid the club’s rumored interest in Club Brugge winger Noa Lang, Campbell admits Pepe needs to bring his A-game to the table sooner rather than later.
“This is the proving season for Pepe, I believe,” he said about the ex-Lille star on The Highbury Squad YouTube channel.
“He will get a chance. It might be in the Carabao Cup, but he will get a chance. He’s got to shine, he has to. If he doesn’t…
“What is it, the third year of a five-year deal? We’re still waiting for him to make the real break out, although he broke out a little bit at the back end of last season. Is that enough for a record signing? It’s not enough!”
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