Selling Pepe and signing Sterling would “be a very smart move”

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Nicolas Pepe is a fantastic player when played in a system that suits him.

At his best for Lille, Pepe played for a team that sit deep and looked to hit opponents on the break.

Pepe’s pace and power was Rennes main outlet. The man they looked for firstly on that break.

Mikel Arteta looks to play a high pressing game and dominate the ball in the opponents half. Our defence is often up and around the halfway line and the attacking players do not have a great deal of space to operate in.

This means Arteta needs his forward players to be quick of thought and good at passing in tight areas whilst under pressure. Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe both excel in tight areas.

The likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Pepe are players that prefer counter attacking football; not possession based.

Whilst Aubameyang can get away with his technical deficiencies, Pepe can not.

Too often his passing and slow thinking has been exposed. Play often breaks down or slows up when it reaches Pepe’s feet.

Pepe is excellent playing on the edge of the game. He has that bit of magic. Most of his goals come from his own individual brilliance.

But Arsenal can not afford to carry Pepe for 70% of the league games in the hope Pepe does something in the other 30%.

Three years ago we spent £72million on Pepe.

At the end of this season he will have two years left on his Arsenal deal and a book value of £28.8million.

If Arsenal can cash in on him next summer for around £30million, it will be a good deal done.

Rumours are that Raheem Sterling would be his replacement. Arsenal have been linked in a deal costing around £40million.

Selling Pepe for £30million and signing Sterling for £40million would be a very smart move.

Keenos

3 Arsenal Academy Starters, 3 Arsenal Academy goal scorers

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Last night was the first time in history that 3 players to have been in Arsenal’s youth system scored in the same game for England

It was also the first time since 1988 that Arsenal had the youth team products play for England.

Games like yesterday really are pointless. they help no one.

San Marino get thrashed again, some players get a few goals to their name, and everyone goes home safely.

It is probably time UEFA and FIFA introduced pre-qualifying to their competitions.

Anyway, well done to Saka and Smith Rowe for scoring and to Aaron Ramsdale for keeping a clean sheet.

All a bit pointless really.

Keenos

January transfer window speculation ramps up as Saliba linked with permanent move away

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Morning all (although it might be afternoon by the time I hit publish on this).

The pre-January transfer window speculation seems to be in full swing today.

Arsenal are linked with the likes of Raheem Sterling, Dejan Kulusevski, Domenico Berardi and Donny van de Beek.

Can’t really be bothered to go into them as chances are they are stories planted by their agents in an attempt to generate interest.

Another interesting piece of news is that Marseille are looking to make the William Saliba deal permanent.

What is most interesting is that this news seem to be breaking out of Turkey.

In the past we have seen Arsenal news and gossip break out of Turkey as Mesut Ozil used them to leak news.

I do wonder if Matteo Guendouzi and Ozil are still friendly (“the Arsenal outcasts”) and this leak has perhaps come from a discuss between Guendouzi and Ozil.

All speculation for now but it would not be too surprising as Ozil does have a track record of speaking to journalists.

Personally I can’t see a permanent deal happening to Marseille. They can not afford him.

Arsenal spent £27million on Saliba 2 and a half years ago. This summer he will have 2 years left on his deal but reports are Arsenal have an option to extend for a year.

That will mean Arsenal will be in no rush to sell the Frenchman, and any buying club will surely have to spend more than what Arsenal bought him for.

I still think Saliba still has a role to play for Arsenal next season and we will be in no rush to sell him.

Lastly, England face San Marino tonight. Hopefully we see Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe and Aaron Ramsdale all start.

Have a good Monday.

Keenos