Nicolas Pepe is not a Premier League player

Robert Pires on why Nicolas Pepe is struggling at Arsenal.

Former Arsenal legend Robert Pires believes Nicolas Pepe is not cut out to become a Premier League player.

The Gunners spent £72million to sign Pepe from Lille in the summer of 2019.

Since then the 25-year old is struggling for consistency and has made only 5 starts out of 19 Premier League matches this season.

Pires believes Pepe’s style of play is not suited to English football.

Pires said: “His game doesn’t suit the intensity and demands of the Premier League.

“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.”

Pires then went on to praise Mesut Ozil who left Arsenal to join Fenerbahce last week.

Pires said: “In my opinion Ozil is an Arsenal legend.

“We must not forget everything he did for this club and the quality he brought to the team.

“For me there is no culprit in this story. I know Arteta and I know Ozil. The manager made a decision and Ozil had to accept it, which he did.

“He never complained but instead continued to train like a professional.

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