Did Arsenal make a mistake by signing Nicolas Pepe for Alex Iwobi?
A high-profile signing that was bought amid defensive woes and with a gamble of allowing Alex Iwobi leave, Pepe has finally started getting into the act of Ligue-1. The Frenchman in his initial games for Arsenal was not upto the mark but his form has noticed a sudden uptown in recent games.
The winger that was once regarded as a ‘gamble went wrong’ has now turned into a ‘bargain worth every penny.’ Pepe has risen to the occasion in the last few games, Europa League included. His predecessor, on the other hand, has been a banal buy for Arsenal.
Nicolas and Iwobi have both made 15 appearances in the Premier League with the former ousting the latter in all aspects. In the offensive front, Pepe has scored 2 goals and provided 3 assists for Arsenal as compared to Iwobi’s solo goal service to Everton.
But Alex Iwobi can’t be discounted, can he? The 23-year-old attacking midfielder from Nigeria is a storehouse of versatility and is fully capable of napping the meek defense of Arsenal. If there’s any team Iwobi would have asked for, it will surely be his former club Arsenal who have been a defensive horror.
The Nigerian knows almost everything about present Arsenal squad and to tap on their weakness will be easy for him. Also, his key passes and reading of the game will come in handy against a non-existent defence.
While Iwobi will try and influence his place in the starting XI, Pepe will look on to get into the good books of newly appointed manager Arteta at the earliest. The former Arsenal midfielder turner manager is a tactically attacking worker who will definitely know how to bring out the best in Pepe.
The Frenchman will still hold his preferred right wing going into the game. Moreover, it will be his pinpoint crosses, through balls and adept finishes that Arteta would ask for. The new partnership of Arteta and Pepe will surely be a boon for Arsenal but the Arsenal fans would want that to happen the earliest.
There’s no point differentiating the duo except from their contribution towards the goal. The better of the two will be the guy capable of creating as many chances and maybe converting one or two when required. While Nicolas Pepe seems to be the probable one to do so, Iwobi can not be discounted as he looks avenge his exit from Emirates.
