Kevin Campbell has claimed that Nicolas Pepe is a big part of Mikel Arteta’s plans moving forward at Arsenal.
Pepe served the first of his three-game ban for his red card against Leeds United as the Gunners suffered a 2-1 loss at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
In an interview with Football Insider, the Highbury star labelled the winger ‘very talented’ as he refuted reports from the Daily Star over a sale of the 25-year-old.
Campbell said: “I do not think they made an error in his signing, not at all. Mikel Arteta wants to work with him. I think he has a big future at the club because he is a very talented player. He has done some things that were not quite right, one of them being the sending off at Leeds.”
“He is suffering right now because he cannot help the team in the Premier League but he will come back better. With a bit of luck, everything will be fine when he does return.” (via Football Insider)
Who should start right-wing for Arsenal on Sunday?
Reiss Nelson
Willian
It would be a devastating waste of talent if the Gunners were to sell the £100k-p/w Ivory Coast winger, who has shown in drips and drabs just how sensational he can be on top form.
One piece of skill the Ivorian possesses that makes him a crucial asset to a horrible Arsenal forward line is his ability to take on a defender. Up until the Leeds clash, Pepe’s direct rival, Willian had completed just one take on all season. To not be able to possess a threat in wide areas makes Arteta’s men increasingly one dimensional, hence why Pepe should be retained and start ahead of the 32-year-old.
There is one part of his game in which the attacker needs to work on and that is tracking back and defending. It could be argued Willian has been picked ahead of his colleague more often this season because he possessed the knowledge and know-how in the side’s defensive third. The Brazil international averages more tackles per game than the record signing.
With Pepe his ability is more than enough reason to retain him rather than sell him. He has a very high ceiling and possesses the quality to make a difference in games for the Reds.
