Arsenal forward Alexandre Lacazette has admitted that Nicolas Pepe needed time to adapt to the Premier League following his club-record move in the summer.
The Ivorian wideman saw the Gunners smash their transfer record for his signature last year as he arrived for an eye-watering £72m from Ligue 1 outfit Lille. He initially struggled to find his best form in North London, scoring just two Premier League goals before the turn of the year.
Following a man-of-the-match showing in the 4-0 win against Newcastle United at the weekend, Pepe’s teammate Lacazette says that supporters will now see him on top form more often following a period of adaptation.
He said: “I used to say we need to be patient with him [Pepe]. He is still young, he came from another league and it is always different.
“The Premier League is the hardest league in the world I think, so you have to be nice with new players like him.
“He is someone who needs confidence and when you give him confidence he is better.
“He just needs time to understand how the league is and now we can see a really good Nicolas Pepe.”
Pepe will look to put in another positive showing as Arsenal do battle with Olympiakos in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday evening. He currently sits at 17/2 with William Hill to score the opening goal of the match.
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