Arsenal boss Emery admits Pepe could start at Liverpool

Posted Friday, August 23, 2019 by Tribalfootball.com

Arsenal boss Unai Emery admits Nicolas Pepe could start at Liverpool on Saturday.

The 24-year-old made a promising debut as a second-half substitute in last weekend's 2-1 win over Burnley as he seeks to acclimatise to life in north London following a summer move from Lille.

Emery admitted Pepe will need time to adapt but suggested he will not be deterred by handing him his full debut despite the difficult test that lies in wait on Merseyside.

"The most important thing is, like a person, to help him and his family to feel comfortable here," said Emery.

"Now he is three weeks into working here with us. He didn't do the pre-season here but he's progressively feeling better. For example, in the first match, he played 15 minutes in Newcastle, then he played 45 minutes against Burnley.

"I think his individual performances are progressively getting better. For Saturday, he is maybe ready to have more minutes. I am going to decide on Friday, but really his progress has been positive and has been good for the team and for him. The most important piece of the adaptation is to help him to feel easy and be comfortable with us."