Arsenal have defied expectations after completing the club record A$127 million signing of winger Nicolas Pépé, but will he live up to his hefty price tag?
The 24-year-old Ivory Coast international put pen to paper yesterday, signing a five-year deal with the Gunners. The former Lille man will wear the No.19.
Pépé will become Arsenal’s fourth new addition this transfer period behind Brazilian winger Gabriel Martinelli, midfielder Dani Cebellos on loan from Real Madrid and defender William Saliba, who curiously has been loaned back to former club St Etienne for the entirety of the 2019/20 season.
According to Arsenal coach Unai Emery, Pépé “will add pace, power and creativity, with the aim of bringing more goals to our team.”
Despite Arsenal’s defensive headaches, Emery has placed all his chips on the Ivorian being the solution to Arsenal’s problems, declaring that “signing a top-class winger has been one of our key objectives in this transfer window and I’m delighted he’s joining.”
Arsenal broke their club record transfer fee to recruit Nicolas Pepe from Lille. (Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Emery is not wrong – signing a world-class winger was certainly high on Arsenal’s wish list. With the likes of Alex Iwobi remaining inconsistent and an aging Henrikh Mkhitaryan falling out of favour, the club needed a player like Pépé to reinforce the team.
His performances at Lille were impressive, providing 11 assists and finishing second in the golden boot race behind Kylian Mbappe, with a total of 22 goals.
However, despite the aroma of excitement surrounding Pépé and what he can bring to Arsenal, I’m still frustrated at the lack of defensive reinforcement.
The purchase of William Saliba and subsequent loan back to his former club remains a puzzling decision considering the club’s obvious need for bolstering in the back half.
As rumours of Celtic fullback Kieran Tierney’s transfer to Arsenal continue to circulate, perhaps the club’s defensive crisis may finally be at an end.
Until then, welcome Nicolas Pépé!
Patrick Mastertoun
Roar Rookie
He's been good, Arsenal's problem is having a creative midfielder to feed him Laca and Auba
Alexander Lowe
Roar Rookie
Absolutely. I’m an Arsenal fan and I reckon a top four finish will be a push.
callumgasowski
Roar Rookie
I still believe arsenal will struggle to make top 4 due to their lacklustre back 4
Alexander Lowe
Roar Rookie
I believe Arsenal “needed a winger” to a certain extent. Whilst I don’t explicitly deny it in this article, Arsenal does have Iwobi, Mkhitaryan, Nelson and Maitland-Niles can play should the need arise. I feel the club needed an already established winger such as Pépé and not another young talent with “great potential”. So in that regards I am happy the purchase was made. Love the use of the “when we play well”, it reflects the Arsenal teams inconsictency very well.
KenoathCarnt
Roar Rookie
Will be interesting Arsenal really need a winger. As a Liverpool fan we have been blessed with top quality wingers , but hope it works well for Arsenal i have always enjoyed their style of play when they play well.