Arsenal brought in Nicolas Pepe this summer from Ligue 1 side Lille and during the North London Derby, the Ivorian put in a fine shift. But now it looks like he might be set to miss the Watford clash.
Pepe started the derby alongside Aubameyang and Lacazette upfront and he was also scheduled to play for Ivory Coast when they take on Benin and Tunisia during the international break.
But now the national team have officially revealed that Nicolas Pepe has picked up an injury which is why he will not be playing any part for the Les Éléphants.
National team head coach Ibrahim Kamara included Pepe in his squad but now it looks like the forward will be heading back to London in order to receive further treatment.
The statement released by the national side have claimed that Nicolas Pepe picked up the injury while playing for his club but it does not reveal the kind or the extent of the injury which the player has sustained.
And this is what’s been worrying the Arsenal fans since the Gunners have a series of important matches when the international break comes to an end.
Right after the break, Arsenal take on Watford away from home following which they take on Eintracht in the Europa League.
If Nicolas Pepe does miss the match vs Watford then surely it will be great news for Javi Garcia.
The Hornets are currently sitting at the bottom of the Premier League table with a single point and if the forward is indeed ruled out for Arsenal then surely Watford will feel they have a fighting chance in the game.
But looking at the bright side, if the injury sustained by Nicolas Pepe is serious then it will be good news for Mesut Ozil as the German is yet to start a match for the Gunners.
And if Pepe is ruled out then Ozil will most certainly come into the playing XI now that Henrikh Mkhitaryan has moved to the Serie A.
UPDATE ON NICOLAS PEPE INJURY:
As per the latest reports, Nicolas Pepe is not really injured but rather the concern is with his match-fitness.
According to the report, the forward has already returned back to Colney and will be working on his fitness throughout the international break. It is also being claimed that the player’s return to London was a pre-arrangement between the Ivorian national side and Arsenal.
