Arsenal: 5 players Nicolas Pepe should take inspiration from

4. Mohamed Salah

Mohamed Salah is in his third full season in the Premier League. He has been utterly prolific in all three, scoring 32, 22 and now 16 goals. His emergence on the right side of Liverpool’s attack unlocked the best front three in world football, with Roberto Firmino’s false-nine hold-up play and Sadio Mane’s electric wing play on the opposite side forming the basis of one of the best teams in Premier League history.

Salah has revolutionised the demands of a winger. Ten or 15 years ago, a wide attacker was primarily tasked with creating chances for a centre-forward. They had to deliver crosses into the penalty area, slide through balls behind defences, and maintain width in possession. Salah, among many others, has changed this. His movement is geared towards scoring goals.

Pepe does not emulate the Egyptian’s goal-obsessed approach. He is a capable goalscorer, as evidenced by his 22 strikes in Ligue 1 last season, but his movement is often to come short and receive the ball to feet, rather than to get into the penalty area. He is tentative with the ball. He slows down the play. He does not use it quickly and sharply, always with an eye for goal. Salah exemplifies this wing play. Pepe could learn a thing or two.