---
title: "Flashback: Nicolas Pepe has justified Arsenal’s £72m purchase"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/flashback-nicolas-pepe-has-justified-arsenals-72m-purchase/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Uways Nisar"
section: "Arsenal Football Club"
published: "2020-03-29T18:30:35Z"
modified: "2020-03-31T15:22:21Z"
---

# Flashback: Nicolas Pepe has justified Arsenal’s £72m purchase

***According to notable transfer expert [Duncan Castles](https://twitter.com/TransferPodcast/status/1242005367346860032), this summer’s transfer window is likely to be a ‘depressed’ one compared to previous years amid the current suspension to football, largely around the world. With that in mind and the fact there’s nothing to give us a footballing fix, the Transfer Tavern are doing their best to remind their readers how some of their club’s fans reacted to the biggest signings of*** ***this season in order to focus on what’s been before us, rather than the uncertainty ahead.***

Back in August of 2019, Arsenal splashed out [£72m](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49197553) on winger Nicolas Pepe. It proved to be a surprise even for supporters of the north London club as Champions League winners [Liverpool](https://rmcsport.bfmtv.com/football/mercato-lopez-confirme-des-discussions-entre-liverpool-et-pepe-1726188.html) had been linked with him. One fan thanked Raul Sanllehi.

> Nicolas Pépé has officially been announced and, to be frank, it still doesn’t seem real. I can’t believe we’ve managed to sign him, given our financial state. Hats off to Raul & all involved. Hopefully he’ll be a huge success in England. Welcome to Arsenal, Nicolas! [#NicoIsHere](https://twitter.com/hashtag/NicoIsHere?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
>
> — Patrick Timmons (@PatrickTimmons1) [August 1, 2019](https://twitter.com/PatrickTimmons1/status/1156954600345350145?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Chuffed, what a fantastic signing this is. [#PepeIsHere](https://twitter.com/hashtag/PepeIsHere?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
>
> Exciting deal, exciting player, and it really helps build enthusiasm for the new season.
>
> Fair play to Raul and crew! [pic.twitter.com/6QEdSKbRq1](https://t.co/6QEdSKbRq1)
>
> — arseblog (@arseblog) [August 1, 2019](https://twitter.com/arseblog/status/1156953854442901504?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Sanllehi and Edu being told they only have £45m to spend. [#PepeIsHere](https://twitter.com/hashtag/PepeIsHere?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [pic.twitter.com/SfNulUEz7l](https://t.co/SfNulUEz7l)
>
> — P ☘️ (@PatchAFC) [August 1, 2019](https://twitter.com/PatchAFC/status/1156953023492612100?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Arsenal fans when they saw that Pepe had signed for the club. [#PepeIsHere](https://twitter.com/hashtag/PepeIsHere?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [pic.twitter.com/ZepY2W1kpp](https://t.co/ZepY2W1kpp)
>
> — Matthew Jean-Pierre (@therealemjaypea) [August 1, 2019](https://twitter.com/therealemjaypea/status/1156983129376219144?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Omg omg omg omg omg
>
> — Spanish Gooner (@elspanishgooner) [July 27, 2019](https://twitter.com/elspanishgooner/status/1155053626928373760?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> We could get relegated and sign Mbappe! Biggest club in the world, we sign who we want
>
> — AubaDouzi (@ArsenalKid94) [July 27, 2019](https://twitter.com/ArsenalKid94/status/1155079271200821248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

While outlets such as [the Sun](https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/10497931/nicolas-pepe-arsenal-criticism-fitness-form-premier-league/) suggested he was a ‘flop’, his actual numbers hint at an important role in the side. In just 32 games across all competitions, the Ivory Coast international has scored six goals and assisted a further eight [(via Transfermarkt)](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/nicolas-pepe/leistungsdaten/spieler/343052). Considering the Gunners are sat in [ninth place](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/table) in the Premier League and were knocked out of the [Europa League](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51623263)by Olympiacos, these are brilliant stats for someone who is playing in a squad with ‘uncoachable’ players, according to [Sky Sports’](https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/news/gary-neville-arsenal-next-manager-17337582) Gary Neville [(via football.london)](https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/news/gary-neville-arsenal-next-manager-17337582).

As well as his contributions in the final-third, Pepe seems to be a man who strikes fear in opposition defenders, averaging 2.7 dribbles per league game, [as per WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/13/Show/England-Arsenal). His quality has been highlighted by [Sky Sports’ Graeme Souness](https://twitter.com/SkySportsPL/status/1229114015022014481), who claimed the winger can emulate club legend, Thierry Henry, surely the highest praise any Gunners player can receive.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”289122″\]

Whatever happens, when the top-flight season resumes, Pepe has shown his quality and that he can make an impact on this side. With that in mind, the money invested in him is slowly starting to look worth it.

***Arsenal fans, do you think Pepe has performed up to standard this season? Let us know your thoughts below!***