Former Arsenal coach Freddie Ljungberg insists Nicolas Pepe can still make it with the Gunners.

Pepe received much criticism after he was sent off during Arsenal's draw against Leeds last weekend for headbutting Ezgjan Alioski. However, Ljungberg, who worked with Pepe last season, believes that the 25-year-old can be a success for Arsenal.

He told the Athletic: "I think Nico will come good. Nico wants to work. Every player makes mistakes. I got sent off at Spurs!

"Don't slaughter them too much because it happens to all of us.

"The important thing is how they react afterwards and if he knuckles down, works even harder and still tries to prove himself. He's not had the easiest time, there's a lot of focus on him.

"I could say easy things like, 'Yeah, he needs game time'. OK, but you have a lot of other players as well who need game time. That's what is difficult."