Arsenal fans are quickly falling for the club’s record signing Nicolas Pepe after a statistic about the Ivorian’s dribbling emerged following Saturday’s defeat to Liverpool.
According to WhoScored, Pepe completed seven dribbles in the 3-1 defeat to the Merseysiders, the most any player has managed in a Premier League match this season.
That wasn’t the only impressive statistic to emerge from the game at Anfield. It also became apparent that Pepe became the first player to dribble past Virgil Van Dijk in the Premier League, ending 5o games whereby the centre-back hadn’t been dribbled past (via Opta).
The Ivory Coast international moved to the North London giants from Lille for a club-record of £72m, one of six summer signings at the club.
The excitement among the Gooners has risen ten-fold following the performance of Pepe on Saturday, with some expecting big things from the winger.
Here is a selection of tweets from Arsenal fans:
Made Andy Robertson look like an out of form Andre Santos.
— Alex (@EbeningStandard) August 25, 2019
He is something else
— DaniCeballos Just On Loan (@DennisuarezL) August 25, 2019
Pepe averaging 4 dribbles per game despite not playing not playing up to 180 minutes. Insaneeeee https://t.co/bFvyCdcpip
— Toros Locos’ Distro (@Bilaal_Teebash) August 25, 2019
He was abuslutely fantastic against one of the best defenses in europe. Seems like people just dont get it yet. Plus he was totally on his own. It’s not just fancy footwork, he is super intelligent to get of those tight situations very easily. Pure joy of a player
— Kahrimanovic Nedim (@KahrimanovicNed) August 25, 2019
Absolutely HAD to score on that breakaway. Aside from that great performance.
— (@justsometeacher) August 25, 2019
7 successful dribbles for Pepe yesterday…. not the end product wanted but he will come good
— #Josh. (@josh_gunner1) August 25, 2019
