Pain in the Arsenal
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Arsenal: 4 winners of January transfer window

By Ross Kennerley

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 21: Nicolas Pepe of Arsenal (C) celebrates with teammates Cedric Soares and Eddie Nketiah of Arsenal after scoring their team's second goal during the Carabao Cup Quarter Final match between Arsenal and Sunderland at Emirates Stadium on December 21, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 21: Nicolas Pepe of Arsenal (C) celebrates with teammates Cedric Soares and Eddie Nketiah of Arsenal after scoring their team's second goal during the Carabao Cup Quarter Final match between Arsenal and Sunderland at Emirates Stadium on December 21, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /
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DOUALA, CAMEROON – JANUARY 26: NICOLAS PEPE of Ivory Coast celebrates his successful penalty in the shoot out during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2021 round of 16 football match between Ivory Coast and Egypt at Stade de Japoma in Douala on January 26, 2022. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images) /

3. Nicolas Pepe

Quietly meandering through the January window chaos was Nicolas Pepe, who has not started a Premier League game for Arsenal in over three and a half months. It’s unlikely he’ll end that run against Wolves next up.

If all goes well between that game and Everton on the final day of the season, Pepe will barely feature. In an ideal world Bukayo Saka will be injury free and capable of playing every minute of the Premier League season until the end.

That is highly unlikely to happen. Above all, though, heading into the final stretch of the campaign with two strikers who’ve scored just three goals between them in the division so far means that goals will have to arrive from elsewhere. For all his numerous faults, and even on the occasions where he breaks down attacks for 89 minutes of a game, Pepe still provides goal threat.

Whether it is an assist or a neat finish into the bottom corner, he does contribute in the final third and that skill of his will have to be incorporated across these 17 matches to make up for the lack of that ability at No. 9.

If the game is tight after 70 or so minutes, looking to the bench for someone who can pop up with a golden moment leaves eyes fixated on Pepe. Nketiah is not an impact substitute. Pepe can be, and he will have to be now there is so little depth in forward areas.

Continued on next page…

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