Arsenal are expected to complete the signing of Ivorian winger Nicolas Pepe this week in a move that could further limit the chances of Alex Iwobi featuring on a regular basis for the club, reports Completesports.com.
French Ligue 1 outfit, Lille and Arsenal have agreed a deal for the talented winger who is expected to have a medical in the next few days, according to Sky Sources .
The 24-year-old is set to become an Arsenal player this week and would be the Gunners’ fourth signing of the summer, following forward Gabriel Martinelli, midfielder Dani Ceballos, who joined on a season-long loan from Real Madrid, and defender William Saliba, who was signed from St Etienne for £27m and immediately loaned back to the Ligue 1 side.
Pepe scored 22 goals in Ligue 1 last season, second only to Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe, while also providing 11 assists, also the second most in the division, as Lille finished runners-up to PSG.
He was the first Lille player to score 20 league goals since Eden Hazard in the 2011-12 season.
5 Comments
I only hope this will make Iwobi to step up his game.
Good for Iwobi. It will make him step up his game.
yes, very good. 23yrs but still acting like omoumoh… if iwobi can’t focuse to dribble past 3players from th middle, without showboating, then i am sorry.
iwobi vs aubameyang compete for th left wing, my guy na bench b dat oo… iwobi dont have self-believe, that he can do it.
my words are paradox like late fela
It appears Una Emery is serious about in making Arsenal a more formidable force this season by injecting more firepower upfront.
The signing of Nicolas Pepe this week is a move guaranteed to strengthen Arsenal’s strike force with the Ivorian winger being a proven goal scorer.
The days of tolerating indifferent and inconsistent strikers appear to be numbered at the London club.
Iwobi has the skills but his goals to games ratio and overall consistency are yearning for improvement.
If that doesn’t happen, he might have to contend with bit-part roles at the London club this coming season.
Being arguably Super Eagles most talented player, it will be hurtful seeing Iwobi warming the bench for the better part of the season.
@deo
You are very right with the assessment that Emery wants Arsenal more formidable this season,but I don’t think Arsenal problem lies in the attack.
Arsenal has always scored goals.
Aubameyang and Lacazette did well last season.
I think Arsenal problem lies in the defence and mainly her inconsistency.
Unfortunately, Arsenal always finds a way to cave in when it matters most;and the defence hasn’t really be that good.
The epitome of Arsenal’s inconsistency can be seen in Ozil, Aubameyang and our own Iwobi..
Yes, Pepe, Ceballos are beautiful additions,but Arsenal still needs to fix the defence…
For Iwobi,he should take the addition of Pepe as a challenge; he got enough talent to hold his own and it is a long season,he would definitely get game time; but he should know that the club have begin to lose trust in him,so he needs to step up his game.
Regardless,I believe he knows Arsenal is a big club,and big clubs always comes with quality competition,you just have to prove your quality even more,if you can’t,then you shouldn’t be there..