There can be no hiding from the fact that Nicolas Pepe has been a huge disappointment since Arsenal shelled out £72m on the Ivorian in the summer. His three goals and four assists in 17 games is not what supporters were expecting when he first arrived at the Emirates.
However, the 24-year-old is not hiding from the fact that he isn’t performing to expectations. The winger says he is taking the criticism on board and he is working hard to improve:
“It is normal for people to criticise me as much as they are doing because I am not making the difference in each match. I understand them. It is certainly up to me to reverse this situation through hard work. There are lots of aspects that I need to improve.”
Supporters on Twitter mostly responded positively to Pepe’s words, but some are concerned he will turn into an expensive flop:
Atleast he has the guts to admit it
— Zorawar Gill (@savageviking5) December 7, 2019
great attitude to have, need more players like this in the team
— DavidHILL (@DAVIDHILLYEAH) December 7, 2019
The new Theo wallcot
— Oliver Moore (@olymoore123) December 7, 2019
That’s the spirit man ✊?
— Kingsley Eberebe (MD) (@KEC_MD) December 7, 2019
I said it before I'll say it again, Gervinho 2.0 loading.
— Starboikay (@starboikay) December 7, 2019
Fair play, great attitude
— will Mihelakis (@WMihelakis) December 7, 2019
I believe in this guy, he just needs more game time and patience from us, he will make us proud.
— Collins Kuligha (@kuligha_ke) December 7, 2019
This is what a £10m player should say, not a £72m player.
— θ Δ ا Γ ا™ (@KrunchGrizzly) December 7, 2019
His problem is confidence from my perspective. Instead of shooting he will be passing the ball.
— Nana Qwesi GH?? (@NanaQwesi86) December 7, 2019
I like this man and I know with the right manager and the right players he will do great
— Aisha (@AishaSharu) December 7, 2019
There are probably a number of factors that have made things difficult for Pepe. The pace of the Premier League certainly takes time to get used, as well as a new country and a new language.
Of course, coming into a team which is already unsettled and lacking any direction is not going to help, and fans will be keeping their fingers crossed he can turn his form around in the coming months.