Is it Pepe’s time?
I was very pleased with the way we managed to grind out a 2-1 win against Sheffield United over the weekend.
And yes, I would have liked it to be more comfortable, but we are seeing a side to this team that I hope never changes and only improves.
I was also pleased for Pepe, coming on and trying to show you can make an impact, and actually making an impact are two very different things. I have been critical of him in the past and I will also give credit where it is due.
I am happy for him and for Arteta for making the correct decision to bring him on in front of Lacazette. He paid off his boss and showed the fans what he is capable of doing. We know he is talented, and we know he has potential, Arsenal wouldn’t go out and buy any old player, especially not with the price tag that he came with.
But if he can produce some more of those quality performances, where he actually puts his pace to good use, driving into the box, and whether he finishes himself or assists for goals, going up front with the likes of Aubameyang and Lacazette, then I am sure it will only be a matter of time before we have a very strong and even more lethal front three that make teams run scared, as they do with the likes of Mane, Salah and Firmino.
So, I do hope for Pepe’s sake and of course the team’s sake, that this season is his breakthrough season where he consistently shows us why we bought him.
Because if he is on board then it would, no doubt, make life a whole lot easier for our midfielders and our team as a whole. Here’s hoping hey Gooners?
Shenel Osman
Not sure why fans get on his back
,he came into a new league and a whole new environment and still produced more than we have seen from any of our past wingers .
Let’s not forget he was having to play under Emery which would have been difficult ,and now he is only been used as a sub under Arteta ,I like what I see and will admit he can do better in certain situations ,but overall a massive upgrade After having to watch wingers we had before .
Everyone always says “it takes a year to adapt” but in reality you only get a month before everyone is on you.
£72 Million SUPER SUB that’s it unless he proves me wrong
He had a good sub appearance in one game. Even Di Maria achieved at least that much at United. He has to be consistent and an important player for the whole season…
Top level reality , esp given his high cost, means patience is quick to wear thin. Esp so when a player is seen to be, shall we say, not exactly the hardest worker in the team. To put it VERY mildly!
TALENT NOT IN DOUBT BUT ATTITUDE TO HARD WORK BECOMING INCREASINGLY WORRYING.
I have a feeling pepe is wasting his best days, his confidence is rock bottom as evidenced by him trying to celebrate his assist more than the goal scorer, he scores and feels the weight has fallen off his shoulders. A heavily talented player who needs real motivation to unlock all his potential, a formidable player only when a team is attacking and not defending especially when playing in the opponents final third. He is always superb in the box or when close to the box compared to when he gets the ball from midfied where he most often loses possession.
We are still learning how to get the best out of Pepe. One thing is clear – our opponents fear his lightning speed and shooting ability and consistency defend him with double teams, leaving acres of space in their defense. If we can learn as a team to capitalize on this, he could become a major force in our attack. I think he is also good enough to play centrally and on the left wing to confuse and reek havoc on defenders.
My point is – Pepe is just one of many tools in our tool box. It is now up to MA to learn how best to use it.