Bielsa raves about Arsenal player who has ‘clearly shown his skills’ ahead of clash v Leeds
Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa has been raving about Arsenal forward Nicolas Pepe ahead of his side’s trip to the Emirates on Monday.
Leeds will be hoping that they can cause a FA Cup shock in North London as they take on Premier League opposition in the third round of the competition.
Pepe, 24, is someone who could feature for the Gunners and is someone who Bielsa is more than familiar with.
The Argentine signed the Ivory Coast international during his brief period in charge of Lille, who sold the attacker to Arsenal in the summer for £70million.
Ahead of seeing his side potentially play against Pepe on Monday night, Bielsa has been talking about what kind of player the 24-year-old is.
“Pepe is a great player with big resources and is a goalscorer,” said Bielsa, as quoted by LeedsLive.
“And he’s a player who is able to unbalance a match. Obvious skills, when you have all of these skills in one player, the value is £70m. It’s just a matter of time and after show those skills.
“He has shown them clearly and after the price was linked to what he has shown on the pitch.
“One thing is when one player has the skills, another is to have the skills and show the skills on the pitch.
“He does both. He has clearly shown his skills and is at a club where he deserves to be.”
It seems unlikely that Pepe will start against Leeds on Monday night as Mikel Arteta could use this match as one to get a closer look at his fringe players and other youngsters who could one day make the grade at the Emirates.
Pepe started and scored in the 2-0 win against Manchester United on New Years Day, so there is a strong chance that he will be rested by Arteta.
However if he does play, at least Bielsa is someone who will have a very good idea about who he is going up against.
Leeds will have a tough job on their hands to beat Arsenal and reach the next round of the FA Cup but there’s no doubt that whether Pepe plays or not, Bielsa will have done his homework on what to expect from the London club.
In other Leeds United news, this 23-year-old has agreed a possible loan-to-buy deal to leave Elland Road.