Unai Emery replies when asked when Nicolas Pepe will make his Arsenal debut
Arsenal manager Unai Emery gives his verdict on when Nicolas Pepe will make his Gunners debut
Unai Emery has refused to confirmed whether new Arsenal signing Nicolas Pepe will make his debut against Newcastle United on Sunday.
The Gunners signed Pepe in a club-record £72m deal from Ligue 1 outfit Lille last week to make the Ivory Coast international the most expensive player in the north London side’s history.
Naturally, Arsenal supporters are eager to sign their new signing link up with striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette in the Premier League.
Pepe only started training with Arsenal last week as the Ivorian winger prepares for his first season in the Premier League after his excellent performances in Ligue 1.
The £72m signing didn’t feature in Arsenal’s 2-1 loss to Spanish champions FC Barcelona in the Joan Gamper trophy in Spain on Sunday night.
Speaking at his post-match media conference about whether Pepe could make his debut against Newcastle next Sunday, Emery said:
“He is training with us for two days only and today we spoke and it was better to be continuing working alone in Colney.
“We are going to do training together with us [on Monday] and I think each day for him and for us is information we can receive on how he can be for the next training and next match, but with him I want to patient and also see every day how he is taking the pieces and the rhythm with us and also to see how we can play with him.
“He is in the same situation as other players who came in the same days. For example today with Lucas, after a week of training, today was his first minutes. After two training sessions I think it is best to keep training.”
Pepe scored 22 goals and made 11 assists in 38 games in Ligue 1 last season for the French side.
Arsenal have also signed Brazilian teenager Gabriel Martinelli, Saint-Etienne defender William Saliba and Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos on loan this summer.
The Gunners finished in fifth spot in the Premier League table last season before a 4-1 loss to bitter rivals Chelsea FC in the Europa League final in Baku.
