Freddie Ljungberg reveals plans to help Nicolas Pepe settle at Arsenal
Nicolas Pepe has had a tough introduction to English football and Freddie Ljungberg is keen on helping him reach his potential.
Pepe joined Arsenal over the summer after a fine season with Lille in the French Ligue 1, but he has struggled to hit top form for Arsenal this season.
His transfer to Arsenal has coincided with the club having one of their worst starts to a Premier League season.
He has played 12 Premier League games this season, but he has scored just once and he was not named in the starting XI when Freddie Ljungberg started his reign against Norwich last weekend.
The Swede however, seems to have him in his first-team plans and has revealed that he hopes to have a talk with the 24 years old.
“We are going to have a little chat about things, how he feels because he is an important football player. But apart from that, that stays with me,” said Ljungberg as quoted by the Independent.
Asked if the player was low on confidence, Ljungberg added: “No… I just think it’s a new country and a new way of playing. Sometimes we come from a different league and it takes time to adapt, off the pitch and on the pitch.”
The Ivorian scored two stunning free-kicks against Vitoria in the Europa League in what has been the highlight of his Arsenal career so far. Gooners everywhere will be hoping that the talk with Ljungberg results in more genius moments like that.
I have no doubt about Pepe, he is definitely going to come good,he has been a victim of Emery and a team who altogether is not doing well at the moment, I think we call all agree that only BL and PEA have stood out so far.
I just hope FL continues to play him till he finds his mojo again…
I think we can***
I have faith in Pepe
Pepe needs time and confidence as well as players around him that appreciate his strengths and football brain. He will come good, as they say.