Marcelo Bielsa talks up Arsenal star Pepe ahead of potential reunion during Leeds United FA Cup clash

Marcelo Bielsa has described Nicolas Pepe as a "great player with big resources" ahead of a potential reunion on Monday evening.

Leeds United travel to Arsenal in the third round of the FA Cup with the Argentine set to take on the man he signed for Lille in 2017.

The Gunners paid a club record fee of £72m to acquire Pepe from the Ligue 1 side last summer, which smashed the £8.5m figure the Argentine paid Angers for his services over two years ago.

Pepe has endured a difficult start to life in North London but notched in his sides 2-0 victory over Manchester United in the Premier League on New Year's Day.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is aiming to get the best out of the Ivory Coast international, and Bielsa has given his backing to the winger as he continues to adapt to a new league.

"Pepe is a great player with big resources and is a goalscorer. A player who is able to unbalance a match," Bielsa stated.

"[He has] obvious skills, when you have all of these skills in one player, the value is £70m. It was just a matter of time before he showed those skills.

"One thing is to have the skills, another thing is to have the skills and show them on the pitch. He does both. He has clearly shown his skills and is at a club where he deserves to be."