Nicolas Pepe has returned to the club amidst Ivory Coast’s friendlies against Benin and Tunisia.
Nicolas Pepe is set to fly back to London after carrying an injury to Ivory Coast’s camp, as per the national team’s board.
Ivory Coast are scheduled to play Benin and Tunisia in France, but he was withdrawn from the African squad to work on his fitness ahead of a long season.
Nicolas Pepe leaves Ivory Coast squad amid claims Arsenal star arrived with an injury https://t.co/GuCWhPlboQ pic.twitter.com/bYjjk1R0cU
— Mirror Football (@MirrorFootball) September 6, 2019
Arsenal’s record signing played full 90 minutes against Tottenham Hotspur in a 2-2 draw in the North London derby. He previously started against Liverpool in Anfield a week ago after making substitute appearances in the opening two games.
There are suggestions that the Gunners agreed with Ivory Coast that Nicolas Pepe would not be included in their friendlies until November because of the non-stop football over the last year. Out of 41 appearances for Lille last season, the forward started in 39 games before taking part in the African Cup of Nations (AFCON). He also started three games out of five games for Ivory Coast in the continental competition.
A statement from the Ivory Coast FA claimed that: “Nicolas Pepe, injured in (his) club, came to report his injury on Wednesday late afternoon.”
Despite the fears, the forward is set to be in the race to make a comeback against Watford on September 15th, cites the English publication Mirror. The former Lille forward is set to head back to Arsenal’s training ground, where he will get treated appropriately.
The forward is yet to find the back of the net following the £72 million move from the French club this summer, but he is slowly getting into his groove. He brings something unique to the table for the Gunners and his potential linkup with Pierre Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette looks deadly.
For the last three years, Arsenal have failed to finish in a Champions League spot. The defensive continue to be a susceptible position, but the forward line looks deadly and could score goals for fun.
Arsenal have been drawn in the Europa League group consisting of Eintracht Frankfurt, Standard Liege, and Vitoria.
