Arsenal: Time for Nicolas Pepe to start over Bukayo Saka

Arsenal have come a long way this season, even if the Premier League table may not reflect it. The torrid time in the first half of the season was marred by an inability to create anything: the build up play was slow, the team was easy to press and there were a catalog of mistakes from back to front. Arsenal are finally creating chances but they need someone to put them away consistently.

Bukayo Saka is Arsenal’s star boy. He has shot onto the scene in spectacular fashion, stunning even opposition fans through the maturity of his play. He’s lightening quick; he knows when and where to pick up the ball; he knows when to cut inside and when to go down the line and cross with his right foot.

He is not, however, a lethal finisher and this has been detrimental to Arsenal’s play this season.

Saka has the ability to pop up in the right positions. In the first half against West Ham, the 19-year-old found himself making darting diagonal runs while Alexandre Lacazette dropped deep. On one such occasion, Lacazette was able to split the defense with an eye of the needle pass that sent the winger through on goal.

It’s time Mikel Arteta started Nicolas Pepe over Bukayo Saka in the Arsenal team

Unfortunately, Saka’s movement wasn’t matched with an accomplished finish. The youngster failed to aim far enough to either side of the keeper and instead left Fabianski with a comfortable save to make.

This dichotomy, the ability to produce goals and assists while still spurning easy chances, has been the cause of some frustration. There is no doubt that Saka has the potential to be a world class player. He is still young though, and his inexperience shows in his finishing.

As he develops, he will continue to refine his game and develop more of a cutting edge that will benefit the team. Until he does, and as he earns rest from being massively overplayed, however, Mikel Arteta may need to look to someone else to provide a goal threat.

While Nicolas Pepe is not the most consistent member of the squad, he is a solid finisher – just don’t look at the replays from the game against Burnley. His best play at Lille came from him attacking open spaces and racing towards the opposition before placing the ball delicately in the corners of the goal.

The ability to score combined with his raw pace makes him an excellent choice for the right hand side of the Arsenal attack. One only has to think back to his strike against Sheffield United to see his strengths in action.

Saka’s versatility might also inspire Arteta to restore Pepe to start on the right side. Saka has plied his trade as a left-winger and has proven to be extremely effective on that side and in either half-space. Add in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s drop in form and starting Saka on the left with Pepe on the right might provide the right balance Arsenal need to create and score chances.

Saka is a generational talent. He plays like a seasoned veteran, has the right attitude and his skill on the ball is a wonder to behold. Pepe’s improvements, however, merit the rotation and him starting on the right over the English winger.