Emery tells Pepe to embrace Arsenal pressure

Unai Emery has urged Nicolas Pepe to deal with the pressure that comes with his club-record price tag as the Arsenal winger tries to recover from a shaky start to life in England. Emery paid a reported £72 million ($88 million) to land the Ivory Coast international from Lille in the close-season, but Pepe has yet to impress for the Gunners. The 24-year-old, who hit 22 goals for Lille last term, was criticised for his limp display in Monday's 1-1 draw at Manchester United.

“It has not been easy,” he told French broadcaster RMC. “My confidence must come back. I am not very worried. People may be worried about my statistics but I am not.” Emery may start Pepe in Thursday's Europa League Group F clash at home with Standard Liege in an attempt to play him into form.

Emery tells Pepe to embrace Arsenal pressure

Unai Emery has urged Nicolas Pepe to deal with the pressure that comes with his club-record price tag as the Arsenal winger tries to recover from a shaky start to life in England. Emery paid a reported 72 million ($88 million) to land the Ivory Coast international from Lille in the close-season, but Pepe has yet to impress for the Gunners. The 24-year-old, who hit 22 goals for Lille last term, was criticised for his limp display in Mondays 1-1 draw at Manchester United. It has not been easy, he told French broadcaster RMC. My confidence must come back. I am not very worried. People may be worried about my statistics but I am not. Emery may start Pepe in Thursdays Europa League Group F clash at home with Standard Liege in an attempt to play him into form.