Former Liverpool star Michael Owen has said that Arsenal have one main concern despite making a positive beginning to the Premier League campaign. The Gunners have started the season with 15 points on the board after the opening eight games and that sees them occupying the third position on the table.

Speaking to Premier League Productions, Owen said that the Gunners have only one worry at the moment and focuses on the form of record signing Nicolas Pepe. He added that the Gunners paid a sizeable fee for the Ivorian’s signature but he has yet to replicate the success from his time in the French Ligue 1, he told: “I think that’s the only big worry I think for Arsenal at the moment. Things are going pretty well, in the league they are chugging along, in Europe they’re doing fine. But [Pepe] was a massive outlay, you’re expecting or almost wanting a guarantee of performance for that type of money. It hasn’t happened yet but we all saw him in France, he’s a terrific player.”

Pepe has contributed two assists and one goal in the Premier League this term. However, he has managed just of those assists from open play and the goal came through a penalty which was handed to him by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. As such, he has not done anything great to catch the attention of the supporters and the pressure will surely mount, should he struggle after the international break.

The likes of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Reiss Nelson have all impressed when they have been handed with minutes and Pepe need to find his touch sooner rather than later. The Gunners are scheduled to face Sheffield United away from home after the international break. The game could witness the comeback of Alexandre Lacazette after a month on the sidelines with an ankle problem.