Arsenal: Say it with me—Nicolas Pepe is worth the money

Far too many foolish haters have been running their mouths about Arsenal spending wads on Nicolas Pep, but it’s time we all say this together.

At half time of the Arsenal vs Newcastle match on NBCSN, Robbie Mustoe went all in blaming the entire first half on Nicolas Pepe. Saying he isn’t worth it, and the pressure is too much, and so on and so forth. Essentially what all the trolls have been saying about Pepe all year, while I’ve been here blathering on, telling such haters to shut up and appreciate the guy.

Hopefully that got a lost easier after watching Pepe rip Newcastle apart. With a rare 10.0 performance from WhoScored.com, Pepe tied for the team lead in chances created, he nabbed two fantastic assists and scored a goal produced by hunger and determination.

That takes his season tally to four goals and five assists in the Premier League, six goals and seven assists if you add in the Europa League.

Keep in mind, this is his first season, coming over from Ligue 1. This is a season where he’s had three managers with very different approaches. This is a season where he can’t keep that starting spot, not from any error of his own, but because of managerial whimsies.

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Yet he’s our second most effective goal producer, despite all the ups and downs of the year. Makes you wonder what he will do when he’s got one manager for a full year after settling into the Premier League this year.

I’m just warning you, you’re going to want to admit now that Pepe was worth the money. That way when the bandwagon truly departs next year, you can be one of the people saying “yeah, no, I’m way ahead of you.”

It’s a good feeling, trust me. I’ve been saying Pepe was worth the money since like… September. And look at how superior I feel because of it.

Seriously though, Pepe has the blueprints of a superstar. And he doesn’t need your approval to get there. I’m just telling you now that this incredible performance is not going to be as rare as they have been this year. He is a world beater, that’s why we paid him a word beater fee.

So here’s the big chance you’ve been waiting for, the chance to be right, so say it with me, all together now—Nicolas Pepe was 100%, absolutely worth the money.