Nicolas Pepe completed his move to Arsenal earlier this week (Getty Images)
Nicolas Pepe will miss Arsenal’s final pre-season friendly against Barcelona at Camp Nou on Sunday.
The 24-year-old completed his move to the Gunners from Lille earlier this week for a club-record £72 million fee.
But Arsenal fans have been made to wait to see their marquee signing in action as Pepe did not travel with Unai Emery’s 21-man squad to Spain.
The decision to leave Pepe in London is simply a precautionary measure by Emery as the winger only started pre-season training on Friday and still lacks match fitness.
Arsenal have said that Pepe ‘has been given extra time to get up to speed’ along with Alex Iwobi and Mohamed Elneny, who also did not travel to Barcelona.
Arsenal are also without Alexandre Lacazette against Barcelona after the French striker suffered an ankle injury in the 2-1 defeat against Lyon last Sunday.
Arsenal lost the game 2 vs 1 after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang first half goal was cancelled out by an own goal from Niles.
Luis Suarez scored a late goal to prevent the match from going into penalties.
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