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The former Gunners midfielder says the club’s record signing hasn’t lived up to expectations, while Mikel Arteta has yet to find the right formula.
Nicolas Pepe is “out of his league” and enduring a “nightmare” at Arsenal, says Paul Merson, with the pressure of a 72 million pound ($ 96 million) price tag seen as weighing heavily on a record signing. of the club.
The Gunners dug deep to reward an exciting Ivorian striker away from Lille in the summer of 2019.
Pepe was believed to have the attacking verve that would allow him to fit in seamlessly with an Arsenal team that plays ball and has long been more progressive than defensive.
However, the 25-year-old has struggled to live up to expectations in North London, with 12 goals and the same number of assists recorded in 56 appearances.
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He offered signs of encouragement in a Europa League outing against Molde on Thursday, but that performance came on the back of a reckless red card in Leeds, prompting more questions about his value.
Merson is among those who place Pepe in the expensive flop category, and the former Gunners playmaker sees Mikel Arteta’s inconsistent side as out of place as a collective.
He told the Daily star: “Nicolas Pepe seems out of reach and he will have to do it against teams much better than Molde to change my opinion.
“I can understand how he was sent off in the Leeds game. He’s had a nightmare since joining Arsenal and a Europa League goal in Norway won’t change that.
“He let his frustration get the best of him against Leeds and he did something silly with the header, because things haven’t been going well for him at Arsenal for months.
“It came in for 70 million pounds. If they had bought it for £ 20 million, no one would be sorry. But the rate creates pressure and he has not been able to handle it.
“I watch him play and I don’t know what he brings to the table. But it is not their fault that Arsenal are struggling.
“I don’t think Mikel Arteta knows his best team and he’s been there for a long time. Keep changing it too much. It is worrying.
“He plays Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang up front and brings absolutely nothing to the party. Again.
“If you are playing Arsenal right now, you are disappointed if you don’t get something. Leeds seemed like a better side to me in that game.
“Arteta is safe as houses. You will have time. But he needs to find his best team and stick with it, because it’s not working right now. “
Pepe will be denied a chance to get back in shape when Arsenal return to Premier League action on Sunday as he serves a suspension, but Arteta’s team may start to gain momentum towards the hectic holiday period when they receive to the Wolves.
