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Football London
Football London
Sport
Amie Wilson

Alexandre Lacazette on the key factor behind Nicolas Pepe's impressive performance vs Newcastle

Alexandre Lacazette has said that confidence was the reason for Nicolas Pepe's performance in Arsenal's 4-0 win over Newcastle United on Sunday.

The Ivory Coast international scored the Gunners' second goal of the game, doubling the side's lead just three minutes after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's second-half opener.

Pepe was involved in all four of Arsenal's goals, assisting twice.

The summer arrival has struggled to make an instant impact at the Emirates Stadium since his big money move from Lille, scoring just three times in the Premier League before Sunday, the 24-year-old was an unused substitute in the previous Premier League game against Burnley.

Following the game, fellow goalscorer Lacazette spoke of his teammate's early season struggles and how the winger has come out the other side of them.

"I used to say we need to be patient with him," Lacazette said. "He is still young, he came from another league and it is always different. The Premier League is the hardest league in the world I think, so you have to be nice with new players like him. 

"He is someone who needs confidence and when you give him confidence he is better. He just needs time to understand how the league is and now we can see a really good Nicolas Pepe."

Pepe will be hoping to continue to impress when Arsenal take on Olympiacos in the round of 32 of the Europa League on Thursday evening.

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