Ljungberg explains Pepe plan as he bids to solve key Arsenal issue

Ljungberg leads Arsenal in his first home game as interim boss on Thursday. [Courtesy]

Freddie Ljungberg will have a heart-to-heart with Arsenal’s record signing Nicolas Pepe over his struggle to adjust to the Premier League.

The Gunners forked out £72million to lure Pepe from Lille in the summer, but the Ivory Coast winger has yet to perform consistently.

He has not started any of Arsenal's last four games and was left on the bench for Sunday’s 2-2 draw at Norwich - Ljungberg’s first game as interim boss.

The Swede, who stepped up following Unai Emery’s sacking last week, believes Pepe will come good given time.

“Nicolas is a very, very good player,” said Ljungberg. “Sometimes we come from a different league and it takes time to adapt, off the pitch and on the pitch.

“Nicolas is someone I plan on talking to, we’re going to have a little chat about how he feels about things. He’s an important player.
 

“I just think it’s a new country, a new way of playing and I’m going to have a little chat with him about what I expect and how I want to play.”

Pepe in training on Wednesday. [Courtesy]

Pepe could well be among the substitutes again as Ljungberg takes charge at the Emirates for the first time, against Brighton on Thursday.

The Gunners have failed to win any of their last eight games in all competitions and have not recorded a clean sheet in two months.

Having shipped an average of two goals per game in that time, tightening the defence against the Seagulls is Ljungberg’s immediate priority.

“It would be great if we had games Saturday to Saturday and had a few more training sessions to keep working on things,” said the ex-Arsenal midfielder.

“That’s going to be an ongoing theme, working on defending for a long time. We have a lot of quality but that’s one thing we need to fix ASAP.”

Ljungberg, a fans’ favourite during his nine years at Arsenal, is also aware his team needs to regain the backing of the Emirates crowd.

The atmosphere frequently turned hostile towards the end of Emery’s reign, with thousands of fans staying away from his final game, a 2-1 defeat against Eintracht Frankfurt.

“When it comes to the Emirates, the fans want us to win games and play good football,” Ljungberg added.

“I think the only way to get a good atmosphere in the stadium is to do that, whether it’s with me or someone else as a coach.”