Arsenal interim manager Freddie Ljunberg has disclosed that he would sit down with Winger Nicolas Pepe to discuss his struggles in the English Premier League (EPL).
The Ivory Coast international arrived the Emirates in a club-record fee of £72million.
But Pepe who scored 22 goals in Ligue 1 last season has only been able to score three goals and provide 5 assist for Arsenal so far.
The 24-year-old was an unused substitute at Norwich on Sunday during Ljungberg’s first game as interim boss, with the Swede preferring to send on teenagers Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka as second-half substitutes.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the Gunners clash with Brighton, Ljungberg said Nicolas Pepe is suffering from a crisis of confidence.
He said: “Nico is someone who is a very, very good player but sometimes when you come from a different league it takes time to adapt. Off the pitch and on the pitch.
“But Nico is someone I plan on talking to. We are going to have a little chat about things, how he feels, because he is an important football player.”
When asked if he believed Pepe’s poor form was down to a loss of confidence, Ljungberg replied: “No, I don’t. I just think it’s a new country and a new way of playing.
“I’m going to have a chat with him about what I expect and how I want to play.”
source https://www.naijanews.com/2019/12/05/epl-why-pepe-is-struggling-at-arsenal-ljungberg/
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