Emery: Pepe Not Quite at the Level We Want

Unai Emery has urged Arsenal supporters to exercise "patience" with club-record signing Nicolas Pepe, who has yet to get to grips with the "intensity" of Premier League football.

Pepe became the most expensive signing in Arsenal's history when he moved to Emirates Stadium from Lille for £72 million ($92m) in August.

Unfortunately for Arsenal fans, Pepe has struggled to adapt to life in England, with only one goal to his name from 10 Premier League outings so far this season.

Emery claims Arsenal knew Pepe might need a full season to settle into his new surroundings, but even he has been surprised at how much the winger has struggled.

"His process of adapting to the team is positive, but a little slower than what we wanted," the Arsenal boss told Sky Sports. "We have to be patient as well as demanding and what's more, we have to ensure that he takes responsibility himself.

"He is not quite at the level yet to be able to play in every game. I believe, and I have always believed, that he needs to play in order to reach that level, but obviously there are also games when other players deserve to play. I use the players who I think are going to help us most in each moment.

"But we bought Pepe knowing that the first year would be difficult, that it would be a year of adaptation. We want that to happen as quickly as possible, but we are seeing that we have to have patience."