Arsenal: Nicolas Pepe treatment shambolic, but predictable

Arsenal fans are known for being unnecessarily cruel, but Nicolas Pepe is already facing the firing squad and it’s only been a month.

When you are the unfortunate recipient of the “most expensive transfer in club history” trophy as Nicolas Pepe is, the target on your back is going to be the biggest in club history. It’s part of the job. But Arsenal fans have been ruthless following his paltry display against Manchester United. To the point that it’s surprising, even given their ridiculous mean streak.

It’s so bad that Nicolas Pepe even came out and promised to do better. He spoke of losing his confidence, of struggling, so on and so forth. After 500 minutes, he’s already having to defend himself and his poor form.

This has been said time and again, but Dennis Bergkamp? Thierry Henry? The two best players in club history? Didn’t figure it out right away. Took a handful of matches to get their first goal.

Pepe had issues against United, and he’s had issues in the early stages. Mostly with mounting any sort of threat with a final ball. But guess what? Half a decade of proven ability doesn’t all of a sudden negate just because he’s having trouble acclimating getting into the swing of things at the Emirates.

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I know that even I said that there was a Nicolas Pepe problem, but that was more in reference to how Unai Emery might handle the struggles, not in reference to Pepe’s struggles. Because it takes time to figure these things out. And while I know it won’t do a lick of good, I still feel the need to stand (well, sit) here and tell these hyper-critical, “I know everything about football ever” fans that they can shove it. This is the same players that you’ll be swooning over in a couple of months when he gets his confidence back and starts scoring goals again, like he’s done for his entire career.

Keep in mind this is a fanbase that is still criticizing Granit Xhaka for “ducking” despite it being proven time and again that he was trying to head the ball. You can’t teach decency, apparently. And you don’t just get smarter.

It’s ridiculous, really, but it’s a part of the modern game. Fans who literally lose sleep over a misplaced touch. Give the guy a chance to be himself before you start lambasting who he is.