Arsenal manager Unai Emery has heaped praise on Nicolas Pepe as the club closes in on signing the Lille winger.

Gunners fans were sent into a state of shock when reports emerged over the weekend claiming the club were in advanced talks over an €80m deal for the Ivory Coast international.

Speaking after Sunday's loss to Lyon, Emery had nothing but good things to say about the potential signing.

He said: "We are working, the club, and also thinking about how we can improve. There are different players on the table with the possibility that we can achieve their signature.

"Pepe is a very good player and also we are thinking only of players who can really, really improve this squad and also give us some different conditions to improve.

"The same, we are working for the last few weeks and before starting the season in the first match in Newcastle, our aim is to get the best team with the best players in our squad."