Pepe arrived at Arsenal in the summer for a club-record fee after starring with OSC Lille in the French League, but bar a sparkling debut against Liverpool, the Ivorian international is yet to hit the ground running at the Emirates and has come in for some stinging criticism after a host of sub-par performances.
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As far as displays go, Pepe's against Bournemouth did not exactly create fireworks, but it was a massive step-up from what the 24-year-old has done in recent weeks.
He was responsible for assisting the only goal of the game, as it was his ninth minute out-swinging corner that was headed in by David Luiz to put Arsenal ahead.
Pepe made a name for himself as a direct dribbler at Lille and against the Cherries, he completed three dribbles, while he also sent in three crosses although his pass completion ratio of 66.7% left a lot to be desired.
He was substituted for Gabriel Martinelli after 63 minutes and with the international break coming up, Pepe has an opportunity to rediscover his best form away from the gruelling stage of the Premier League.
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About the author
Ume Elvis
Elvis is a seasoned football journalist and has been with Sportskeeda for more than 6 years. He specializes in writing match previews across several leagues and competitions around the world, and his insightful tips have amassed a total readership in excess of 9.2 million till date. Elvis' meticulous attention to detail and strictly following SK's editorial guidelines have been key to achieving a vast readership. He has also exclusively covered the 2021 Nigerian Universiy Games and has provided research for an upcoming biography for a Nigerian football legend.
Elvis has been a Super Eagles fan since 2004, and them beating defending champions Cameroon in the AFCON that year left a lasting impact on him. He supports Sporting Lagos at club level and loves to watch games live at the Onikan Stadium due to its buzzing atmosphere. His favorite football players are former Nigerian forward, Osaze Odemwingie and former Real Madrid legend Raul Gonzalez.
If Elvis could change one football rule, it would be to not be booked for celebrating with pitch side fans. He believes that football is a passionate game and celebrations should be encouraged to the fullest. When not analyzing the latest previews, Elvis indulges in activities such as swimming, reading, and karaoke.
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