New Arsenal star Pepe trains on his own as he battles to be fit for Premier League opener vs Newcastle

NICOLAS PEPE has been training without his new team-mates in a bid to be fit for Arsenal's Premier League opener against Newcastle.

The Ivorian only recently returned from a holiday in Miami after competing in the African Cup of Nations last month.

He now has to re-build his fitness and hopes to feature when Unai Emery's men travel to Tyneside next Sunday.

Boss Emery is hopeful his side's record signing will be involved from the off next season.

Arsenal fans are expecting the pacy wide-man to thrive in England following his £72million move from Lille.

He scored 22 goals and set up 11 in Ligue 1 last season, with only Kylian Mbappe contributing to more goals in the French top flight.

Pepe will join fellow forwards Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at the Emirates, and supporters think the three stars will form a brilliant relationship on the pitch.

Gunners fans are dubbing the new trio "PAL'", and the three men in red have been sharing their excitement on social media.

Despite joining the North London side, Pepe admitted during an interview with Telefoot back in 2017 that Chelsea are the "only club in England that I would sign for".

Stamford Bridge was not a possible destination for the forward though, due to the club's transfer ban.

European champions Liverpool had a bid accepted for the winger though, but Pepe opted not to team up with Jurgen Klopp as the German couldn't offer him regular first team football.

Italian giants Napoli were also close to signing the Ivory Coast international, but he was not happy with their contract offer.