Arsenal: Imagine what Nicolas Pepe can do with 90 minutes

Arsenal have yet to give Nicolas Pepe a full 90, but looking at what he’s doing in smaller samples, we can extrapolate what to expect in his full debut.

There was one word that my dad used when he texted me about his impression of Nicolas Pepe against Burnley: Electric. The new Arsenal man came on at half and immediately proved himself to be exactly that, taking advantage of space and, when space wasn’t there, creating it for himself.

The Gunners haven’t started Pepe yet because of the African Cup of Nations, but he got a whole 45 minutes against Burnley and in that half, we saw exactly what we wanted to see. We saw creativity, innovation, and fearlessness.

Granted, there’s still come acclimation to go, as he looked a bit out of control at times, but that’s to be expected. The point is, the attacking edge that we spent all that money to acquire is there, and it’s just a matter of time before that edge cuts through defenses like soft bread.

Pepe has a driving burst that rivals what we often see out of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. But more than Aubameyang, he has the ability to do more than tap the ball in space and tap it.

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He knows how to dance with the ball, how to spin and stay over the ball, how to nutmeg, how to shake defenders and, as mentioned, create space when it isn’t immediately available. And if you don’t believe me, believe the stats.

In just 45 minutes, Pepe tied for the team lead in dribbles completed (4) and only suffered two dispossessions. He also took zero poor touches, which I know was a major concern coming over from Lille—that errant first touch.

If you’re a believer in symmetry, which I’m not, but hey, I won’t knock you if you are, Nicolas Pepe would create four chances and complete eight dribbles in 90 minutes. While only losing possession four times. Pretty impressive.

Even though it was a bit, let’s say “unfair” to call Reiss Nelson off just as he was settling, the hard truth is that Pepe is just better, and he showed that. He is going to produce big things at the Emirates, and that will all start next week when he gets his full debut.

Although, my money is still on Ceballos to have the bigger impact on the year, even with Pepe being so clearly dynamic.