Arsenal and Tottenham have both smashed their transfer records this summer.
A month ago there was no question who was having the best transfer window out of Arsenal and Tottenham.
Tottenham were just tying up a club record breaking £65 million move for Tanguy Ndombele.
It was seen as a transcendent moment for the club, signing a player touted for Europe’s elite clubs, for a big price. It still can be exactly that.
Arsenal meanwhile were lacking any sort of direction in the transfer market, until an out of nowhere swoop for Nicolas Pepe at £72 million.
That broke their own club record too and Pepe has the potential to make even more impact than Ndombele.
As an attacker, Pepe will create headlines and score goals. Last season he netted 22 times for Lille and provided 11 assists.
Ndombele’s game is more defensive, and it’s truly hard to compare the two in terms of what they offer, but when it comes to the impact they make, both have different objectives.
Ndombele’s task will be to get Tottenham into the title race. Pepe will be seen as a success this season if he can fire Arsenal into the top four.
That’s easier to accomplish than Spurs beating City to the title, and for that reason, of lower expectations or softer targets, Pepe could end up outshining his fellow Ligue 1 import in North London.
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