Nicolas Pepe scored his first goal from open play in the Premier League as Arsenal beat West Ham 3-1 on Monday night.
The Ivory Coast winger was recalled to the starting line-up by interim head coach Freddie Ljungberg, and repaid the faith with a crucial goal to give Arsenal the lead in the second half.
Trailing to an Angelo Ogbonna goal, the Gunners turned the game on its head in a extraordinary nine minute spell which saw goals from Gabriel Martinelli, Pepe and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The victory was Arsenal's first in the league since the beginning of October and lifts the Gunners to within seven points of the top four.
After the game, Ljungberg praised Pepe's performance and explained why the winger has taken time to adapt.
Since arriving from Lille in a club record £72million deal in the summer, Pepe has struggled to nail down a place in the Arsenal starting line-up, and was dropped towards the end of Unai Emery's reign.
"People always ask me about Nico and I try to explain he comes from the French league to the Premier League, the best league in the world," Ljungberg said.
"It's a lot faster, a lot harder and he needs to adapt. People can put pressure on him and that's not easy.
"Today he worked hard defensively and offensively. He showed his quality and I'm so pleased for him.
"He's a big, big buy for the club and that's put pressure on him as well. I think he will fall asleep with a smile."
Fresh from his heroics against the Hammers, Pepe was shown sharing his happiness with his family.
The 24-year-old's brother Kwame posted a video on his Instagram story showing the two siblings speaking on Facetime in the aftermath of the game.
Next up for Arsenal is a trip to Standard Liege in the Europa League, before the Gunners welcome champions Manchester City to the Emirates on Sunday.
