Arsenal: The 4 cornerstone players of the Mikel Arteta era

1. Nicolas Pepe

It has not been the greatest first season at Arsenal for Nicolas Pepe. But in a similar vein to Saliba, the club did not smash their transfer record and invest £72 million in his services for him to be a late-game substitute. Pepe is at the club to be a cornerstone offensive weapon, and as his improvement under Arteta hinted at, he has the talent to live up to the hype.

Even in what many have described an underwhelming season, Pepe has still accrued six goals and eight assists in all competitions. He completes more dribbles per 90 minutes than any other player in the squad, carries the ball further in progressive distance per 90 than any other player in the squad bar Dani Ceballos, has the highest expected assists per 90, the second-most touches in the penalty area per 90, dribbles past more players per 90, and creates the second-most chances per 90. Pepe’s underlying numbers prove he can be special, and his teammates think the same.

“He is someone who needs confidence and when you give him confidence he is better,” Alexandre said earlier this season. “He just needs time to understand how the league is and now we can see a really good Nicolas Pepe.”

Pepe will be the cornerstone attacking piece at Arsenal. That is what he was brought to the club to be, and it is up to Arteta to make the most of him.