Arsenal: As ever, Arsene Wenger right about Nicolas Pepe

Arsene Wenger has expressed the need to be patient with Arsenal record signing Nicolas Pepe. As ever, Le Professeur is right on the money.

Even during his more uninspring years, Arsene Wenger was always an intelligent man — that is why his more challenging periods are so difficult to understand. A studier of the game, the Arsenal manager innately understood football unlike very few others on the planet. And while he sometimes made curious decisions and said curious statements, there was a command and reverence to his words and deeds that reveal just how well-respected he was.

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When he spoke, people listened. They valued his opinion. And that is still true to this day, even now that he is in his second season out of management. When he speaks, people should — and do — listen.

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This week, Wenger spoke about latest record Arsenal signing Nicolas Pepe to Omnisport. Obviously, what he had to say regarding the £72 million winger is worth listening to. Here are the quotes:

"“I like the player and I thought it was a good decision [to sign him]. He’s not yet completely adapted and you have to give him some time. He looks a little bit to be playing not with the freedom he did in France at the moment. I see some characteristics of his game, especially off the ball, that don’t happen at the moment. On the other hand, I must say we have good young players who can play on the flanks, [and] that he will have a fight to keep his position.”"

There is a lot to take from these quotes, and most of it is accurate analysis.

First and foremost, Pepe is a good player and it was a good decision to sign him. Even with his recent struggles, that should not be forgotten. Secondly, that he is playing without the freedom, expression and impetus that he did with Lille, especially off the ball. His runs in behind have been non-existent and his speed has only been a threat when dribbling with the ball not making runs off it. Thirdly, that he is now in competition with others for his place, namely Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Reiss Nelson. And fourthly, and most importantly, that he must be given time.

Wenger knows more than most that the adaptation to the Premier League is no gentle process. He signed many young players — plenty of them from France — that has no prior experience of English football and saw them toil in their early performances. But he was patient, he trusted in their ability, and he quickly reaped the benefits.

The difference in style and intensity between the Premier League and European leagues is not quite as stark as in the late-90s and early-00s, when Wenger was at his peak in signing these players, but there is still a difficult acclimatisation that must be made. And this before getting to the personal side of the move, from learning the language to settling into a new city, country and culture.

So as ever, Wenger is right. Pepe is struggling, yes. And indeed, his place in the team should be and is under pressure. But above all, patience is required. Pepe has talent; he now just needs time.