Tony Cascarino raves about Arsenal star Nicolas Pepe for Sunday display

Add as preferred source on Google

Tony Cascarino heaped praise on Nicolas Pepe in his weekly Times column for his performance in Sunday’s win for Arsenal against Leicester City

The Gunners ran out 3-1 winners at the King Power Stadium to breathe some life into their Premier League campaign.

Pepe fired home Arsenal’s third goal during the clash, whilst Willian returned to form by claiming an assist.

Both players have flattered to deceive during their time at the football club and both handed timely reminders of their quality in the East Midlands.

Cascarino was impressed with both, with Pepe catching the eye in particular for his display.

He told The Times: “It amazes me that Nicolas Pepe is 25. He played like a teenager. He’s raw naive and a bad decision-maker.

“Yesterday we say that he can be a real player. There was more belief about him, especially in his willingness to take people on.

TBR View: Pepe showing he can become an Arsenal hit

At £72 million it was always going to be a struggle for Pepe to win over some critics who felt he wasn’t worth the valuation.

A price tag is never the fault of a player though and after scoring 23 goals and claiming 12 assists during 2018/19, it’s easy to say why Arsenal stumped up.

Pepe earns £100,000-a-week at the Emirates Stadium and is slowly but surely getting to grips with English football.

He has done a pretty decent job whenever he has been called upon this season and he’ll hope for more opportunities.

Pepe has been forced to play a patient game to wait for regular football but his performance yesterday won’t have done his chances any harm at all.

At 25 there is plenty more to come from Pepe and the challenge is to gain some consistency.