Should Arsenal sell or keep Nicolas Pepe this summer?

Nicolas Pepe

Should Arsenal sell or keep Nicolas Pepe this summer?

By Jack Lacey-Hatton

It’s fair to say Nicolas Pepe's Arsenal career to date would probably be described as ‘mixed’ at best.

Many in the game believe his form to be wildly inconsistent and not what you’d expect from a club-record £72million signing.

When Pepe joined from Lille back in the summer of 2019, he was expected to be the final piece in attacking jigsaw.

Manager at the time Unai Emery said after his signing was confirmed, “Nicolas is a highly-rated and talented winger who was wanted by many of the top teams in Europe.”

The Lille man excited everyone connected with the Gunners. Here was a player who would give Arsenal a different attacking dimension, perhaps the signing to lead the team back to the Champions League.

But sadly his move hasn’t transformed the team and in early 2022 few of the biggest clubs in Europe would be desperate to secure his signature.

Equally, it would be unfair to suggest his time at the club has been an unmitigated disaster so far.

But with rumours persisting that Arsenal’s hierarchy would be willing to sell him for as little as £25million in the summer, we take a look at whether it would be good business.

 

Yes

The big issue around keeping Pepe can be answered through a simple question.

How many fans would still have him in the starting XI with every member of the squad fully fit?

Very few. Bukayo Saka, Gabrielle Martinelli and Alexandre Lacazette (for now) would be the desired front three for most.

If Pepe can’t get in the Arsenal team today, it is hard to see him as an integral figure next season, after the expected heavy recruitment drive in the summer.

After the departure of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to Barcelona the winger will also now be classed as one of the top-earners at the club.

For any football operation, the ship is only sailing smoothly when these players are crucial to the team’s success.

It also isn’t as if Pepe hasn’t had time to adapt to English football. This is his third full season at the club and he was more influential in his debut campaign.

It is well known that Mikel Arteta wants to continue to re-shape the squad this summer, if finances allow, and any player that appears to be in decline needs to be moved on.

 

No

Realistically the chances of the club recouping the £72million fee paid in 2019 is close to zero.

Suggesting his career has stalled completely would be harsh, but in truth few could argue that Pepe is genuinely a better player now than he was two-and-a-half years ago.

His goals, work-rate and assists return have all declined this season – the Ivorian hasn’t even scored in the Premier League, with both of his goals coming in the EFL Cup.

Few clubs will view him as still worthy of such a hefty price-tag.

Nicolas Pepe

If there aren’t any realistic buyers, what is the benefit of actually letting him go?

He is still under contract until 2024 and has plenty of time to improve and rebuild his Arsenal career.

The 26-year-old has shown flashes of brilliance over the last few seasons and Arteta can find some consistency in him he is worth holding on to.


Verdict

This decision will ultimately come down to the price offered.

If a club that is able to pay a realistic wage for Pepe offers close to £50million, a sale would be the best decision for all parties.

Realistically, Arsenal may have to accept a lower fee if they are to offload the club record signing.

But the £25million reported in some national newspapers seems incredibly low, even if Pepe hasn’t set the world alight during his time in North London.

Few supporters would be shedding tears if he did depart, but he even a few months can be a long time in football.

With the transfer window now shut, Pepe will be at the Emirates until at least the summer.

So if he can knuckle down and recapture some of his best form, there is a chance he can salvage a successful Arsenal career.

The next few months are crucial, but if he delivers it would be worth holding onto Pepe… for now.

Photo credit: Getty Images

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