Arsenal fans will see 'a different Nicolas Pepe' after breakthrough performance, says Robin van Persie

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Malik Ouzia @MalikOuzia_25 October 2019

Former Arsenal striker Robin van Persie has promised the club’s fans they will see ‘a different Nicolas Pepe’, after the winger scored two brilliant free-kicks in the Europa League win over Vitoria Guimaraes.

Pepe had flattered to deceive in the early days since his club-record arrival from Lille, scoring just once, from the penalty spot, and missing a glorious chance to open the scoring in Monday’s 1-0 Premier League defeat to Sheffield United.

However, with the Gunners on the verge of another shock loss, 2-1 down at home to Portuguese side Vitoria, it was Pepe’s 75th minute introduction that turned the tide.

The 24-year-old found the far corner with one free-kick to level the scores, before repeating the trick with an even better effort in stoppage time to steal all three points, and van Persie believes the cameo will prove a breakthrough performance.

"I'm really happy for him. You can see what it does to him,” van Persie said on BT Sport.

"You can see that he is lively and happy and he was making all sorts of movements and skills and it's great for him to score the winner. The price tag doesn't really matter, you just need a moment to show the Arsenal fans, 'here I am'.

"This is his day, this is his moment. You can see it in him, you can see that he is skilful, see that he is fast. I'm pretty sure after tonight you will see a different Pepe."

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