Arsenal and Everton reportedly wanted Wilfried Zaha from Crystal Palace in the summer transfer window.
The Gunners secured the services of 24-year-old winger and Zaha’s Ivory Coast international teammate Nicolas Pepe.
Arsenal will face Zaha this weekend when they take on Palace at the Emirates Stadium in North London in the Premier League.
Emery has spoken highly of the 26-year-old former Manchester United winger, who was wanted by Everton as well in the summer of 2019, according to The Mirror.
Interestingly, the Toffees signed 23-year-old winger Alex Iwobi from Arsenal in the summer of 2019 instead of Zaha despite their reported interest
Emery told The Mirror: “We chose to sign Pepe even though Zaha is a very good player. We signed Pepe not for two months, six months, one or two years but for the process. And the process is coming together little by little.”
Emery added about Zaha: “He is a very good player and he has been the difference in a lot of matches against us. But we have players who can stop him and impose our capacity, our organisation on them.
“For sure he is very motivated – but our challenge is how we can stop him and use our own quality.”
Crystal Palace stay
Zaha is one of the best wingers in the Premier League, and one suspects that many will be surprised that the 26-year-old is still at Palace.
The Ivory Coast international is the most important player for the Eagles, and him staying at Selhurst Park this season is certainly great for the London outfit.
According to WhoScored, Zaha has made nine appearances in the Premier League for Palace so far this season, and scored 10 goals and provided five assists in 34 league games for the Eagles during the 2018-19 campaign.
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