Arsenal: Whatever happens, Nicolas Pepe signing a success

Nicolas Pepe’s first year at Arsenal is still driving debates, but no matter what anyone says, or what happens, this signing has been a success.

I don’t get how there is anyone out there still doubting Nicolas Pepe. I don’t know why opposing fans point and laugh at him. I really don’t. Arsenal have a player capable of being truly elite in Nicolas Pepe, and the fact that he hasn’t hit his full heights after just eight months at the club is just a sign that there’s more to come.

But what we have had so far is a clear and rampant success, beyond any shadow of a doubt. Nicolas Pepe has given us something we haven’t had in ages. He’s given us creativity and invention from out wide.

What’s more? He’s given us goals and assists from out wide too. We have been so reliant on our strikers to carry the team, but I hold Pepe in the same standard as I do Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and the numbers reflect it.

Whatever you think about Pepe, there are two things that need to be remembered—1. It’s still only his first year. He’s still acclimating. Plus, he was a late bloomer anyway. He didn’t really start hitting heights until he was 22. And that’s fine.

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The second thing to remember is that he has incredible individual talent. The big criticism of him is that he often tries to do too much, gets too fancy, tries too hard. But there have been clear and obvious improvements in that arena.

Since he’s arrived, I’ve seen full matches where he played well within himself. Those were obviously his best matches.

He’s getting better, he’s acclimating, he’s immensely talented, he’s playing position we’ve been deprived of for years. What more could you want? Honestly. The fact that we paid so much money for him is a nonfactor.

Also, consider that it’s a payment in installments. We essentially only paid £15m for him this year. If you’d have told me we’d pay £15m for this kind of statistical return, I’d have soiled my pants. No doubt about it. Pepe is already returning his investment and his first year isn’t even through yet.

So don’t give me any more of this negativity. He’s been a tremendous signing and he’s only going to get better the longer he’s at the club. Just practice enjoying him now, how about that?