Former Arsenal attacker Robert Pires has claimed that Nicolas Pepe "is simply not cut out for English football", with the Ivory Coast international largely struggling for the Gunners since arriving at the club.
The 25-year-old has scored 14 times and registered 13 assists in 66 outings for the London club since making the move from Lille in 2019, but he has managed just eight Premier League goals in 44 appearances.
Pires, who starred for Arsenal between 2000 and 2006, has said that Pepe's "game" simply does not work in England due to the "intensity and demands" placed upon players.
"His game doesn't suit the intensity and demands of the Premier League," Pires told The Sun. "Pepe wasn't used to it and it has been complicated for him to change his mentality, to adapt to a new way of training and to settle in a tough league. I think he is simply not cut out for English football."
Pepe has been a regular for Mikel Arteta's side during the 2020-21 campaign, making 24 appearances in all competitions, contributing six goals and three assists in the process.
The attacker was also on the scoresheet in Arsenal's 3-1 win at Southampton on Tuesday night.
Matt Law
