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Arsenal-supporting pundit Kevin Campbell has explained he thinks Nicolas Pepe can be great next season at the Emirates Stadium.

Pepe, 25, has had a frustrating campaign with the Gunners during his second year as an Arsenal player.

The right-winger’s return of 12 goals and five assists across all competitions this campaign is decent, but there has just been no consistency. His £72million (BBC) signing from Lille two years ago still looks a huge transfer blunder at that price.

Campbell does have confidence though that there is still more to come from the Ivory Coast international if he’s playing in a better team.

Mikel Arteta’s side have lacked a ruthlessness to them this year, but perhaps Pepe can be part of the nucleus that turns their fortunes around going into next year.

“Pepe has the ability. He needs to be given a good run with a more competitive team because I truly believe with a more competitive team Pepe can do more,” Campbell told Highbury Squad.

“We will see more of his abilities. If Arsenal were a team that could press and compete more, we’ll win the ball higher up the pitch, and Pepe will be getting it higher up the pitch. He’s devastating one-on-one. I truly think he can do a great job and have a great [next] season.”

TBR’s View:

If you look at Pepe’s individual ability, he’s a skilful left-footed wide player that can be a goal threat from open play and set-pieces, plus he’s really intelligent with his moment.

There can be a long-term place for him in the Gunners XI if he performs more regularly, and he’s someone that should be kept around the squad for next year to try prove himself once again.

However, there is a huge chunk of the Arsenal squad that could do with being replaced.

With the possibility of the club have no European football to play next season, trying to attract the right kind of players to the club could prove a slight obstacle.