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Peter Crouch has backed Arsenal winger Nicolas Pepe to continue improving during , and suggested the winger is better coming from the left – despite being signed as a right-sided midfielder from Lille.
Pepe, 25, joined Arsenal in the summer of 2019 from Lille having starred for the French club during 2018-19. But his price tag has since weighed him down, given that he cost £72million – albeit in instalments which Arsenal are continuing to pay.
Last season, he managed eight goals and 10 assists in 42 games – not bad, but far below the standard expected given his enormous fee. This season, he only has seven goals and three assists in 27, being criticised for his work rate and discipline.
He showed his frustration by lashing out at Gjanni Alioski during a 0-0 draw with Leeds. But he scored in the defeat to Wolves and Crouch thinks Mikel Arteta’s decision to play the £140,000-a-week ace () from the left flank is benefiting him.
“I think that is a huge part”, Crouch said, when asked if Pepe is judged on his price tag. “If he’s not good enough, it is ‘he cost £72million’. There is a player in there. In his last season, only Kylian Mbappe scored more goals than him.
“He had 33 goal involvements, he was on fire. There is a player in there, he looks better coming from the left to the right. When he has played down the left he has stepped it up. He is keeping Aubameyang out of the side and that will give him confidence.
“His goal against Wolves was about perseverance, something he has been criticised for. Him and Saka can be a real threat.”
TBR’s view – Pepe still has a lot of work to do
But two goals in his last four games – both of which have come when playing on the left – is a sign of improvement. On the left, Pepe had become predictable, constantly cutting inside on his left foot and looking to finish that way.
On the right, however, he can go past players and remain on his left, but is also very good at cutting inside on his right – which is just as effective. It puts full-backs in a world of bother, and perhaps using him from the left can see Pepe repay that fee.
