No one begrudges the praise heaped on Eddie Nketiah for his dazzling display against Sunderland in the Quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup. Nor will anyone complain that Charlie Patino gathered so much interest and praise for his goal in his debut in the Arsenal vs Sunderland game, but amid all this celebration, one figure has been completely overlooked, Nicolas Pepe.
The Ivory Coast winger has become a peripheral figure at Arsenal, burdened heavily by expectations via Raul Sanllehi’s ridiculous valuation and kick-back payment, he has found life tough in North London. He’s had to endure speculation on his future, online abuse, spectator heckles and the shame of long-term benching at Arsenal, but against Sunderland, Nicolas Pepe showed exactly what he was about.
Many will be sceptical and critical of this blog, but let’s give praise where it’s due, even if it was against the Black Cats. It wasn’t a perfect performance, he occasionally lost the ball or forgot to take it with him as he accelerated, but essentially, Nicolas Pepe was involved in nearly everything, that was good about Arsenal against Sunderland.
He was out to prove a point and he did that with two fabulous assists, a goal and an exquisite nutmeg that had the crowd purring like a cat at an open door during a blizzard. Pepe showed desire, flair and appetite during this contest and although he lacks consistency when he’s hot, he’s red hot and able to provide a threat just as good as that of Saka.
The constant referencing of his price tag is completely pointless and only inhibits the player further, it’s time to try to make space for Pepe or let him go. I’ve absolutely no doubt about the 26-year-old winger’s ability or that he will come good, perhaps. that won’t be at the Emirates but it will happen. As Murphy’s law dictates, he will shine against Arsenal in a crucial European competition and we will all be wearing an egg balaclava.
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Arteta lost faith in Pepe because he just didn’t deliver consistently enough and no one can deny that he does tend to blow hot and cold, but he also tracks back, heads forward at every opportunity and looks to provide chances for others. What’s not to like. Perhaps, the Arsenal vs Sunderland game will remind Arteta there’s a player inside Nicolas Pepe.
Perhaps, Arteta needs to go back to the drawing board to work out this particular riddle. Having seen the new recruits settle in so easily, it’s frustrating to see Pepe as a super-sub or second-string player, but until both the player and manager can find a way to make it work, it will stay that way.
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