---
title: "Arsenal: Tim Sherwood criticises Nicolas Pepe"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/arsenal-tim-sherwood-criticises-nicolas-pepe/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Luke Seychell"
section: "Arsenal Football Club"
published: "2020-07-06T20:20:21Z"
modified: "2020-07-06T20:20:21Z"
---

# Arsenal: Tim Sherwood criticises Nicolas Pepe

**Arsenal are in a good run of form at the moment, with [Bukayo Saka](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/arsenal-fc-transfer-rumours/bukayo-saka-profile/) particularly [impressing many Gunners fans](https://www.redlondon.net/one-of-the-best-lovely-lad-some-fans-praise-this-arsenal-player-after-2-0-win/) as of late.**

However, Tim Sherwood has been comparing him to their [£72m signing](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11670/11773463/nicolas-pepe-completes-move-to-arsenal-from-lille-for-club-record-72m) Nicolas Pepe and he believes that the club should have saved their money by not signing the Ivorian.

Speaking to [Premier League Productions](https://twitter.com/plproductionstv?lang=en) (via [Metro](https://metro.co.uk/2020/07/06/arsenal-should-not-have-signed-nicolas-pepe-says-tim-sherwood-12949965/?ito=newsnow-feed)), [former Tottenham manager](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/tim-sherwood/stationen/trainer/8259) Sherwood said: “I think he’s got the game-time because of his versatility. When he saw Pepe come through the door he must’ve thought, ‘How am I ever going to play?’

“But let me tell you there’s not £70 million’s difference between that kid Saka and Pepe, nowhere near. In fact they should’ve saved their money and just developed that young boy. They’ve got a manager now who wants to look at their academy, look how many are coming off the bench, \[Joe\] Willock, \[Ainsley\] Maitland-Niles, so many of these kids.”

Saka’s emergence this season has been noteworthy, as the [18-year-old](https://www.whoscored.com/PlayerComparison) has adapted to multiple positions including left-back and left-midfielder, and he has managed [four goals and 10 assists](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/bukayo-saka/leistungsdaten/spieler/433177) in all competitions this season, whereas Pepe has had [eight goals and eight assists](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/nicolas-pepe/leistungsdaten/spieler/343052).

Bearing in mind Pepe was bought for £72m, whereas Saka is a graduate from their academy, it is understandable to see where Sherwood is coming from. However, Arsenal needed a winger in the summer and Saka was [largely unproven](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/bukayo-saka/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/433177) so it is easy to see why Pepe was bought.

Hopefully Saka’s growth will not be stunted by marquee signings, but it is clear to see that Arteta rates him as he seems to be one of the first names on the team sheet, per [SofaScore](https://www.sofascore.com/player/bukayo-saka/934235).

***Gunners fans, what are your thoughts on Sherwood’s comparison of Saka and Pepe? Let us know by commenting below!***