Arsenal: Actually, Nicolas Pepe WILL save this defense… in a way

Arsenal are on the brink of announcing Nicolas Pepe as their third signing of the summer, but they have yet to sign a defender. Pepe can help though, in his own way.

This preseason, we have seen very little change from last season. Arsenal still attack with a beautiful fluidity. These strikers are magnificent and remain the biggest draw of the club.

The midfield only got better with the addition of Dani Ceballos and I would be surprised if they struggled at all this year, with the return of Granit Xhaka to top form and the further acclimation of Matteo Guendouzi and Lucas Torreira.

But that defense is still as flimsy as a paper wall. Shkodran Mustafi is a mistake in a box and they can’t hold onto a lead. Yet the defensive solution, William Saliba, is not going to be arriving at the club until next summer, and many suspect that with the Nicolas Pepe deal finalizing, that the Gunners may be out of transfer business.

Meaning that we have no defense help coming, and that all will rest on the shoulders of Calum Chambers and Rob Holding to provide the saving graces of a battered and unreliable defense. Especially with Laurent Koscielny doing his rebellious thing.

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You wouldn’t expect Nicolas Pepe to have much to do with the defense, but he will have a hugely positive impact on the defense by extension, because he will have a hugely positive impact on the pitch as a whole.

When you strengthen one area of the team, you strengthen all the areas. Even if it’s not as strong in one area as it is in others.

Obviously this attack gets the biggest boost from Pepe’s arrival, since he provides something we haven’t had in years, and when you consider that he will be partnering with two of the best strikers out there, as well as a creative midfield that may have some surprises in store, you can bet that this attack will be one fearsome bunch.

And while Pepe won’t contribute much directly to the defense, by providing more goals—scoring, assisting, or just being a part of—he is lessening the burden placed on those incapable shoulders at the back. It’s the age-old argument, all you have to do is outscore your opponent. Doesn’t matter if it’s 1-0 or 6-5. Three points is three points.

Even if defensive fixes aren’t coming, this is still a move that should be celebrated as the deal of the summer, perhaps even more. And this year will show us just how big of a deal it was.