3 Bukayo Saka alternatives for Arsenal vs Man United – ranked

2. Nicolas Pepe

Yes he does still exist, and yes he is still unbelievably infuriating on the ball.

He’s also a goal threat. One of few genuine danger men in the team where even if they’re having poor games there is still enough in them to pop up with a goal or an assist.

Having Emile Smith Rowe, Odegaard and Martinelli as the three behind Aubameyang is more preferable as a trio, yet Pepe being on the right instead of Smith Rowe injects some shooting quality in and around the box that few others possess.

Pepe is capable of getting a shot off in tight areas and weaving his way past challenges, and against a United defence that has conceded 22 goals in their 13 Premier League matches so far, the decision to include a player who can pick out the top corner from 25 yards just as easily as he can beat three men before whipping a cross in is made easier.

If only such moments were more regular.

Tactically it’s impossible to call how this game will pan out as United could adopt numerous approaches, but if it were to end up as a transitional game then Pepe’s pace and finishing can be a useful weapon.

The problem is, his gun misfires four out of five times.

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