Zaha and Pepe combine to score amazingly skilful goal for Ivory Coast and give Arsenal fans glimpse of a possible future

WILFRIED ZAHA and Nicolas Pepe combined to score a sensational goal for Ivory Coast – and Arsenal fans are hoping it is a glimpse of the future at the Emirates.

The pair lined up in a three-man attack with former Leicester and Leeds winger Max Gradel as they helped see off DR Congo 3-1 in a friendly.

Defender Wilfried Kanon put Les Elephants in front after 22 minutes.

But it was on the stroke of half-time that Zaha turned on the style to set up Pepe.

The Crystal Palace forward, 26, received the ball in the box then after a couple of stepovers and some neat turns, beat two defenders.

Falling to the ground, he managed to knock the ball into the six-yard box where Pepe was rushing in.

And the £72million man, 24, was on hand to instinctively flick the ball in with his heel.

Zaha later tweeted: “You’re welcome Nico.”

The Palace man rounded off the scoring in the 95th minute after Chadrac Akolo had pulled one back for DR Congo.

But it was Pepe’s goal that had Arsenal fans dreaming.

The Gunners brought the winger in from Lille for a record fee in the summer but he has failed to hit top form.

Zaha urged supporters to have patience with the new signing, though.

He said: “I see the social media, I see everything and it’s a thing where he needs time. He’s come from another league, he’s young.

“There’s this price tag that he has not put on himself, people have put that on him because of his performances.

“So you’ve got to give him time for him to reproduce that, it’s not going to come like that.

“I have got nothing but faith in him, I’ve got confidence that he will produce the same thing that he did before.

“Because we both play for Ivory Coast, I’ve seen the talent he’s got, but not everyone sees it.”

Arsenal-supporting Zaha, meanwhile, was also a target for Unai Emery but a transfer could not be agreed with Palace, who managed to hold on to their academy graduate.

Fans on Twitter are convinced that if they managed to get Zaha as well, it would help get the best out of his under-performing international team-mate.

@nutmegiwobi said: “Need Zaha at Arsenal, so he can help Pepe score goals for us.”

@BromWes wrote: “Imagine zaha and pepe in @Arsenal,” while another suggested signing Zaha would “unlock Pepe”.

@oagaagn5 typed: “Arsenal forward, Nicolas Pepe scores back-heel goal for Ivory Coast. Zaha also looked sharp in this match, with 1 assist and 1 goal. Raul, please knock on his door in Jan. thank you.”

Another added: “The link-up play between Zaha & Pepe for Ivory Coast is something special, it’s needed so badly at Arsenal next season! Make it happen Arsenal.”

A final user commented: “Pepe and Zaha playing together for Arsenal would be amazing.”