Arsenal record signing Nicolas Pepe slated for ‘switching off’ and snubbing team-mates by trying to go all the way alone
NICOLAS PEPE needs to improve his concentration and be more selfless with the ball, according to former Arsenal striker Jeremie Aliadiere. The £72million Gunners ace has struggled at times in his debut season at the Emirates since becoming the club’s record signing. Big things were expected of Pepe following his summer move from Lille but […]
NICOLAS PEPE needs to improve his concentration and be more selfless with the ball, according to former Arsenal striker Jeremie Aliadiere.
The £72million Gunners ace has struggled at times in his debut season at the Emirates since becoming the club’s record signing.
Big things were expected of Pepe following his summer move from Lille but he has just four goals and notching six assists in 24 league games.
Aliadiere, who was at Arsenal between 1999 and 2007, told Goal: “I saw what he did with Lille last season and he is an amazing player. So, I’m not denying his talent.
“What I’m seeing, though, is the most expensive player in Arsenal’s history and even if you don’t want to think about the money, the fact is that money is, unfortunately, a big thing in football.
“And when you spend that much money on a player, you expect more goals and you expect more assists.
“If you look at his stats, I would say he has had an alright season.”
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Aliadiere made just 29 Premier League appearances for the Gunners and recognises the difficulty of hitting the ground running in the English top-flight.
He added: “Now, obviously it is not easy, as I know having been there, but the thing that has disappointed me a tiny bit is his decision-making during games.
“For a player who cost £72m, it’s the simple parts of the game that sometimes I see him lacking. And that’s what I pick on a bit.
“Yes, he goes on a good dribble and goes through two or three players – that’s amazing. But when you have [Pierre-Emerick] Aubameyang on your left and all you have to do is pass the ball in the right spot, and instead cut it back at the wrong time, that bothers me. And I’ve seen that quite a lot from him this season.
“Maybe with confidence, with more games, that will improve. But it’s that sort of thing – when he switches off and seems to lack concentration – that gets to me.
“That is something you can’t really have with top, top players who come for that sort of money. The easy stuff has got to be done properly.”
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But Aliadiere does believe current Emirates boss Mikel Arteta is the right man to change Pepe’s fortunes.
He explained: “I think Mikel could be the perfect match for Nico because he will not let him get away with things.
“As a player, Mikel was all about quality and simplicity. You can’t miss a simple pass if you are five yards away because that costs goals and points.”