Pepe promises a brighter future

QUICK enough? You bet. Strong enough? Undoubtedly.

Nicolas Pepe cost Arsenal a club record £72million from Lille and at Anfield there were glimpses of why manager Unai Emery invested so heavily.

For much of the time, the 24year-old forward was handed something of a thankless task. He was alone up against Ballon d’Or candidate Virgil van Dijk and the formidable Joel Matip.

He was forced to feed off scraps but when given the chance he came close, so close, to using his pace and power to punish Liverpool.

And he got the better of the highly-rated Van Dijk after the otherwise dependable Jordan Henderson gave him a gift with a stray pass.

Pepe accelerated, left the Dutchman in his slipstream and closed in on Adrian’s goal. But the goalkeeper managed to smother his shot. Pepe had earlier sent an effort just wide.

They were clues to what is to come once he has acclimatised to the demands of the English game.

And, of course, once Arsenal are playing on the front foot rather than defending deep in an attempt to frustrate their opponents. Pepe has control that is more than decent and a physical presence that will trouble central defenders.

He would have been told what to expect by his mentor at Lille — former Arsenal forward Nicolas Anelka, who coaches the strikers at the French Ligue 1 club.

Occasional help came from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang but what the strikers needed was more adventure from midfield to give them meaningful possession. How he must have been envious of the service given to the likes of Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane.

But to his credit, he never shirked his duties. He chased and he pressed. He never gave up.

Next Sunday may provide a more accurate guide to what Pepe can bring when Arsenal will without question have to adopt a more attacking approach at the Emirates when they take on Tottenham.

Arsenal will have to push forward. They will have no choice.

At Anfield it was more or less damage limitation. On their own patch of North London turf the fans will demand more and Pepe could well be the beneficiary.

He showed what is possible at Anfield when he has the chance. He brought the best out in Van Dijk and Matip with his ability to run with the ball at speed.

Tottenham awaits. Arsenal expects.