Roy Keane told Sky Sports during their live coverage of Arsenal’s draw with Manchester United on Saturday evening that Nicolas Pepe was ‘overcomplicating’ his attacking play.
One particular moment was highlighted by Keane when Pepe’s shot from outside of the box, in the first half, breezed past the post, as well as a number of others as the goalless game wore on.
When Pepe was first snapped up by Arsenal during the summer of 2019, a lot was expected of the quick-footed forward.
But he hasn’t been able to produce the performances at the level he would have wanted, as Keane shared these thoughts on the player at half-time.
‘Pepe, to be fair, breaking well,” said Keane. “But maybe then overcomplicating it.
“He’s up against two [Manchester United defenders] in the first half. I don’t know how many leg overs that is. And he doesn’t hit the target.”
From Pepe’s perspective, what would perhaps be more worrying is that players like Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli have had a bigger impact than he has even though he is the big-money signing.
Saka has come from Arsenal’s academy, whilst Martinelli, who started at the Emirates Stadium last night before being subbed at half-time, was purchased for less than £10 million.
Either way, this is an important six months coming up for Pepe because if he cannot deliver then the writing may well be on the wall during the summer transfer window.
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