Arsenal Vs Watford: How Nicolas Pepe can solve road woes

Arsenal signed a dynamic winger in part to solve their road woes. While it may seem like they needed a new defender, here is how Nicolas Pepe will help.

Much was made of Arsenal’s deplorable away form last season. In the end, it was what cost them a top-four finish. They ranked eighth in the away Premier League table, won only seven of their 19 road games, lost eight, conceded a depressing 35 goals, and kept just one clean sheet.

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Many pointed to the Gunners’ defensive problems as the cause of their away troubles, and that does carry some sound logic given the number of goals they conceded and their lack of clean sheets. But as their summer business proved, and as was reported throughout the summer, Unai Emery and the club believe differently — and I agree with them.

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Instead of making a splash at centre-back, as many fans might have liked them to, Arsenal broke their transfer record on a winger. The £72 million move for Nicolas Pepe was surprising, the general expectation that the club could not afford such an outlay with their measly £45 million budget, but it provides the team with precisely what they need when they travel away from the Emirates: speed on the counter-attack, skilful dribbling, and balance out wide.

As Arsenal prepare for one of the many tricky trips of the season this weekend, away to Watford on Sunday afternoon, Pepe’s involvement on the right flank will certainly help. Chiefly, Pepe’s speed on the break will open up the game for the Gunners. Watford — and other teams, for that matter — will be that bit more hesitant to press high up the pitch, something that Emery’s side struggled to deal with last year. Pepe has the individual quality and physical skill set to burn opponents who give him too much time and space, both of which will open up if they press high up the pitch.

Pepe also has the individual ability to create something from nothing. He has completed more dribbles per 90 minutes than any player in the Premier League, of players who have played more than 90 minutes, he showed his skill in dribbles against Liverpool and Burnley, skinning excellent defenders time and time again, including Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson. While the goals are yet to come, his ability is obvious, defenders scared to get too tight when marking.

Finally, he will provide balance to the overall set-up. With Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang oftentimes playing up-front in a pair, Emery used a 3-5-2 system to squeeze all his attacking players in. Without natural wingers, that left the team a little lopsided, allowing lots of space for the opposing full-backs to bring the ball forward.

This season, Emery has predominantly used a 4-3-3 shape. That would see Pepe play as an orthodox right-winger, with Aubameyang shifting to the left and Lacazette through the middle. Not only does this provide a nice balance in attacking areas, with genuine width offered from Pepe; it also means that Emery can field three, orthodox central midfielders to anchor the team, shield the defence, and link the play from front to back.

Last season, Arsenal lacked a threat on the counter-attack, an individual to beat defenders and cause problems, and balance in the wide areas. By signing Pepe, they have addressed all three of those concerns, and their away form will benefit as a result.