Our owners have every right to wonder why in two consecutive games where we needed a goal, Pepe has been left sitting on the bench, surely this is the type of occasions you pay 72 million for….
Unai Emery was battling to save his job on Thursday, while Freddie on Sunday had an outside chance of auditioning for the role full time. The fact that neither man would trust our record signing speaks volumes, especially when you consider who is being picked ahead of him.
I think it’s time for some clarity, a weak area when it comes to Arsenal.
When Pires came to England, Arsene Wenger warned it might take time for him to adapt to the physical nature of our League. That prompted gooners, we understood why he was being left out and showed patience because there had been transparency. Yes, Mr Wenger believed the midfielder was a special talent, he just identified there might be aspects in the short term. With Pepe, we don’t know if it’s his attitude, the language barrier, the weather, home sickness, etc. By no one telling us the real Pepe situation, it leaves the fear he’s simply not good enough, or worse the coaches are not improving his game, which is kind of their job.
Our interim boss said after the Norwich game that his decisions on who started were based on what he saw in training, which may be a hint the winger isn’t pulling his weight?
Ljungberg on Arsenal.com: Pepe is a very good player. Like I said, I try to look at what players have done in training and that’s how I judge them.
Remember Ljungberg been around the set up since the summer so would have forged his own opinions. Clearly, he agreed with his old boss’ decision to drop the Ivorian.
Yet by saying you picked Saka based on his confidence, what does that do to the self-belief of your marquee signing?
The gunners have many youngsters who could go on to be great, but none have the body of work Pepe produced in France.
What do you think is going on with this Pepe situation?
Be kind in the comments…
Dan Smith