Arsenal right-winger Nicolas Pepe scored a sensational goal this evening (Friday) in Ivory Coast's 2-1 defeat to France in an international friendly.
The £72 million winger received the ball in space in the 19th minute and accelerated past left-back Theo Hernandez on the outside before smashing a shot past Hugo Lloris' near post with his weaker right feet.
Unsurprisingly, the former Lille forward's goal became a trending topic on social media, Twitter in particular, and Arsenal fans have reacted to Pepe's superb finish.
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@Afcsammmm wrote: "Pepe’s golazo, but they told me he didn’t have a right foot"
@afcevan said: "Pepe, Ødegaard, Balogun, Tierney all scoring for their nations. Pretty productive international break for the Arsenal boys so far"
@B4NKAl wrote: "Pepe getting warmed up for the trip to selhurst park"
@AFCTempo said: "Pépé right foot near post… I don’t believe it"
@MagicalMonke said: "Pepe against high lines is cash money"
@koppotionless wrote: "This Nicolas Pepe masterclass"
Throughout the course of the game, Pepe was a live wire, giving the France defenders all sorts of problems with his movement and pace.
Certainly, Gareth Southgate will be slightly concerned if Pepe is to maintain this level of performance next week, with England taking on the Ivory Coast on Tuesday.
With regards to Arsenal, it's been a very frustrating campaign for the 26-year-old, playing second fiddle to Bukayo Saka, who is having a stellar league campaign on the right flank.
Pepe's latest performance for the Gunners came against Aston Villa, where he was brought off the bench in the 69th minute but struggled to make a desirable impact, giving away cheap fouls along with struggling to hold onto the ball in key moments.
He will hope to deliver a stronger impact should he be given an opportunity in Arsenal's next game against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park when the Premier League resumes after the international break.
