Take a fresh look at your lifestyle.

Zaha to Arsenal fans: Millions splashed on Pepe won’t be a waste

George Aluo

Arsenal this summer literally broke the banks to sign on Ivorian international, Nicolas Pepe in a deal which fans of the Gunners celebrated to high heavens.

Here in Nigeria, Arsenal fans boasted that “Pepe will pepper them” when the EPL gets underway.

But after eight weeks of action before last weekend’s international break, Pepe who the Gunners lured to the Emirates after coughing out a whooping 72 millions pounds (about 3.2 billion naira) has failed to show defenders any “pepper”.

One player that however believes Pepe would deliver and justify Arsenal’s investment is Crystal Palace forward Wilfred Zaha.

Zaha in an interview granted BBC Africa insisted that what Pepe needs to explode at the Emirates is time, even as he urged fans of the club to be patient with the 24- year-old striker.

READ ALSO: Top ways you can set up your children to be financially independent

Zaha who the Gunners also did everything to sign on this summer only for Palace to block the deal said he has ‘nothing but faith’ in his Ivory Coast team-mate succeeding at Arsenal.

Asked how Pepe will fare this season after his slow start in Arsenal colours, Zaha told BBC Africa: “I see the social media, I see everything and it’s a thing where he needs time. Arsenal fans only need to be patient with Pepe.”

It would be noted that Zaha, 26, was on his way to the Emirates but Arsenal’s £40million offer was turned down, with Crystal Palace holding out for a fee of around £80m. The Gunners went on to sign Pepe from Lille in a club-record £72m deal and the 24-year-old forward has made 10 appearances under Unai Emery this season. Though Pepe has notched up a goal and two assists for Arsenal thus far, his displays have been met with criticism from supporters and pundits.

READ ALSO: N7.6b loan: APC not qualified to criticise Makinde, its profligacy nearly ruined Oyo — PDP

Just like Zaha, Lille sporting director Luis Campos has no doubt Nicolas Pepe will succeed at Arsenal and has revealed the lengths the winger goes to in order to perfect his game.

Although the Ivorian has not quite lived up to his price tag so far, Campos says his hard work and willingness to improve are reminiscent of Cristiano Ronaldo and has backed him to come good.

“After a game he (Pepe) watches the whole game again two times, to make himself more perfect,” Campos told Sky Sports.

Campos, who has worked with Juventus’ Cristiano Ronaldo and Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe, believes Pepe has the same mindset as these stars and thinks the winger’s dedication to improving himself will ultimately pay off for Arsenal.

“In my opinion one of the characteristics of a top, top player is that they like football,” Campos added.

“I remember working with Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe. They know everything

Comments
Loading...