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Arsenal: Grading the 2019 summer signings

By Andrew Dowdeswell

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 24: Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal celebrates scoring the fifth goal during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Arsenal and Nottingham Forest at Emirates Stadium on September 24, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 24: Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal celebrates scoring the fifth goal during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Arsenal and Nottingham Forest at Emirates Stadium on September 24, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /
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BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND – JANUARY 27: Nicolas Pepe of Arsenal is put under pressure by Lewis Cook of AFC Bournemouth during the FA Cup Fourth Round match between AFC Bournemouth and Arsenal at Vitality Stadium on January 27, 2020 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND – JANUARY 27: Nicolas Pepe of Arsenal is put under pressure by Lewis Cook of AFC Bournemouth during the FA Cup Fourth Round match between AFC Bournemouth and Arsenal at Vitality Stadium on January 27, 2020 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) /

Nicolas Pepe – C

Arsenal’s biggest signing of the summer was winger Nicolas Pepe, who arrived in a club-record £72 million deal. In the season prior, there were whispers around the fanbase that Pepe would be the perfect signing for the club, but that with every goal he scored for Lille his price tag was inflating to a level that the Gunners could not afford — and that his reputation would be too large to bring to north London.

So when it was announced that Pepe would be an Arsenal player, euphoria rippled throughout the supporters. And for good reason. Pepe has displayed his incredible talent on several occasions already this season, his speed, power, outrageous left foot, and creativity all on show at different times.

However, for a £72 million club-record signing, thus far, he has not done enough. Only 10 goals and assists in the Premier League, plenty of largely absent performances, and a tendency to lose possession or try too much, the Ivorian clearly has ‘it’, but thus far, he has yet to produce as is required for the outlay.

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It is not yet time to abandon belief in Pepe, and his talent is still prodigious. But so far, it is difficult to grade his transfer as little more than average.

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