Arsenal fans have had two glimpses of Nicolas Pepe in a Gunners shirt since the Ivorian arrived at the Emirates over the summer.
The 24-year-old, who could so easily have been a Liverpool player this summer, has come off the bench against Newcastle United and Burnley in the opening Premier League fixtures as he looks to adapt to his new surroundings.
However, Unai Emery has dropped a major hint that Pepe could well earn a first start for the club this weekend against Liverpool.
Jurgen Klopp’s side will be looking to end the Gunners’ 100% record this weekend, which will leave themselves as the only side in the division to have won all three games.
Talking in his pre-match press conference, cited by the Evening Standard, Emery said:
The most important thing is, like a person, to help him and his family to feel comfortable here.
Now he is three weeks into working here with us. He didn’t do the pre-season here but he’s progressively feeling better. For example, in the first match, he played 15 minutes in Newcastle, then he played 45 minutes against Burnley.
I think his individual performances are progressively getting better. For Saturday, he is maybe ready to have more minutes.
I am going to decide on Friday, but really his progress has been positive and has been good for the team and for him. The most important piece of the adaptation is to help him to feel easy and be comfortable with us.
And these Arsenal fans were quick to share their excitement at Emery’s hint on social media.
Twitter: If you think that I’m convinced that we’ll see our fire trio of Laca-Auba-Pépé START at Anfield against Liverpool t… https://t.co/0l1DO67cV2 (@LockedOnArsenal)
Twitter: @charles_watts Pepe ready to start, that’s all we want to hear (@chuxugo)
Twitter: @charles_watts “Pepe ready to start” https://t.co/jD1surrfof (@LukeGunner09)
Twitter: UNLEASH PEPE!! (@dandeleon)
Twitter: We better start Pepe at anfield, we would be idiots not to (@freshprincelaca)
Twitter: pepe might start siuuuu https://t.co/LBmCBnZwdG (@SaccountMihai2)
Read Liverpool verdict
Liverpool will have to be extremely careful if Pepe does get the nod from Emery.
The former Reds target has shown glimpses of brilliance in his two outings, demonstrating just why Klopp was thought to be keen on his signature over the summer.
However, Pepe starting at Anfield could actually play into Liverpool’s hands. It could allow for a more open game, with the Reds demolishing Arsenal last December 5-1.
A similar approach by the Gunners this weekend would certainly be a risk, but it appears to be one that Emery may well decide to go with following his latest comments.
