‘Burned badly’: Arsenal told they’re repeating Nicolas Pepe mistake with next transfer

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Craig Burley thinks Arsenal might be repeating the transfer mistake of Nicolas Pepe by looking to sign Kai Havertz from Chelsea this summer.

The former Scotland international spoke about how Arsenal were ‘burned badly’ by club-record signing Nicolas Pepe struggling in the Premier League and how this move for Kai Havertz ‘doesn’t add up’, as he told ESPN.

The main issues being thrown at Mikel Arteta are about the German international’s form at Chelsea this season, the possible transfer fee they could sign him for, where he fits in and how they seemingly don’t need a player of his ilk.

Whilst Pepe, who was on-loan at Nice last season, struggled throughout his time in the Premier League, at least Havertz showed promise early on at Stamford Bridge, only to stumble during these last 18 or so months.

There is talk that they will put £65 million on the table for the 24-year-old and he could be an Arsenal player by the end of the week. – that’s £7 million less than what they paid for Pepe.

When discussing the possible arrival of Havertz, the name of Pepe was mentioned, as USA-based pundit Burley tried to understand why he is being signed.

“Dropping Odegaard a bit deeper, with his skill set, is a big ask,” said Burley. “If Arsenal were to play the same way as last season, then Havertz doesn’t get in the team. He doesn’t get ahead of Martinelli. He doesn’t get ahead of Gabriel Jesus as a striker and he certainly doesn’t get ahead of Bukayo Saka.

“Then you are looking. Are Arsenal paying £70 million to beef the squad up? You might say, ‘Manchester City have done that’…if we are to be competitive, then we need to beef up the squad with these players at these prices. The problem for Arsenal is that it is a big risk with that money because they have been burned badly in the last 5-10 years with a heavy price for players who have basically failed.

“I was thinking about Pepe. In from France. £60 million. Whatever it was. Fancy Dan, all the skill and all the flair. Terrible. Can Arsenal afford to spend this sort of money on somebody who is potentially not a starter and blow that part of the budget just to beef the squad up?

“He (Havertz) has really lost his way. He couldn’t score goals and couldn’t get in the team that literally had no strikers and now we have Arsenal talking about paying this sort of money for him. It doesn’t add up. It’s a left-field one.”

Havertz a risk that could break Arteta

If the Arsenal boss gets this one right, then he is going to be dubbed a genius and he will get a lot of plaudits thrown his way.

Plus, it will enhance his team’s chances of winning the Premier League title against the all-dominant Manchester City.

But if it goes wrong, then Arteta better get ready for the verbal punches that will be thrown his way because this could be a case of making or breaking for him.