Tierney names Pepe as toughest opponent in Arsenal training

Add as preferred source on Google

Kieran Tierney has told The Chat that Nicolas Pepe is the Arsenal player who causes the most problems in training, describing facing the winger as a ‘horrible’ experience.

Pepe has had an interesting season for the Gunners. He has only made five starts in the Premier League, with a further six appearances coming from the bench.

When he has played however, he has often looked ‘outstanding‘. The Ivorian has scored three goals and contributed four assists in the Carabao Cup.

And he went on to open his top-flight account in Arsenal’s latest Premier League game. Pepe was brought on as Mikel Arteta’s men pushed for an equaliser in their crucial clash with Wolves.

And it was Pepe who came to their rescue. He took his goal brilliantly, before Arsenal went on to score a late winner to send the Emirates into a frenzy.

Pepe’s performance was lauded by those working behind the scenes at Arsenal. But perhaps it should not come as a surprise, based on Tierney’s response when asked which player causes the most problems in training.

“I’d say Pepe all day. I play against him every day and it’s a horrible experience. He’s good,” he told The Chat.

Pepe coming into pivotal spell in Arsenal career?

Pepe has never quite been able to live up to expectations during his time in North London. Of course, his cause was not helped by the staggering fee that brought him to the club.

There have certainly been glimpses of what he can do. He scored 10 Premier League goals last season. But he is someone who had 33 goal involvements in his final Ligue 1 campaign before his move.

He turns 27 in May. He needs to be hitting his peak in the near future if he is going to realise his full potential.

Some will doubt whether he will ever realise that full potential.

But there have been some promising signs, ahead of an absolutely massive spell for the Gunners.