Arsenal’s signing of Nicolas Pepe is a major ‘risk’ for Gunners boss Unai Emery, according to talkSPORT pundit Adrian Durham.
The north Londoners signed Pepe from Ligue 1 side Lille last month for a fee of £72million.
The Ivory Coast international has arrived at the Emirates with big expectations following an impressive final season in France.
Pepe has shown glimpses of the skill that prompted the Gunners to shatter their record transfer fee for his services but has yet to find the back of the net or provide any assists.
The 24-year-year-old was lively in Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with their bitter rivals Tottenham last Sunday but has yet to impress Durham.
“I was surprised at how ineffective Pepe was,” Durham said of the winger. “To pay that much money for somebody who is so one-footed has to be a risk.
“I don’t think he is going to have that many wonder games, I think he’ll have some special moments, he will do some special things in games.
“But to impact a game to the point where you’re the difference and you make up to 12-15 points a season that can make Arsenal challengers. I think they are expecting a bit too much from him.”
Pepe didn’t take part in pre-season training with Arsenal and is still trying to get himself match fit.
“The most important thing is, like a person, to help him and his family to feel comfortable here,” Emery said of Pepe last week.
“Now he is three weeks into working here with us.
“He didn’t do the pre-season here but he’s progressively feeling better. For example, in the first match, he played 15 minutes in Newcastle, then he played 45 minutes against Burnley.
“I think his individual performances are progressively getting better. For Saturday, he is maybe ready to have more minutes.
“I am going to decide tomorrow, but really his progress has been positive and has been good for the team and for him.
“The most important piece of the adaptation is to help him to feel easy and be comfortable with us.”
Pepe will be back in action on Friday night when the Ivory Coast welcome Benin to the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny.