Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Nicolas Pepe transfer means Unai Emery must make David Luiz decision at Arsenal - Pardew
NICOLAS PEPE’s arrival at Arsenal means they should no longer play with a back three in defence.
Arsenal: Nicolas Pepe shows off skills at training centre
That is the opinion of experienced Premier League manager Alan Pardew.
Pepe joined Arsenal for a club-record fee of £72million from French side Lille in the summer.
The Ivory Coast international will provide much-needed width to the Gunners, with right wing his preferred position during his time in Ligue 1.
Arsenal head coach Unai Emery regularly changed his formation during his first season at the club.
If you’re going to do that why would you buy Pepe? Because he’s a winger
Emery often switched between playing with three centre-backs and a flat back four.
Fellow new signing David Luiz, who joined from Chelsea last Thursday, arguably played his best football at Stamford Bridge in a back three under Antonio Conte.
Former Arsenal Women star Alex Scott asked Pardew on Goals on Sunday if Emery would use Luiz in a back three.
“Do you think, looking at it, with coming into it, that Arsenal will look to play more of a three instead of a back four?” Scott asked.
However, Pardew says playing that formation would make it difficult to get Pepe into the starting XI in his favoured role.
Pardew replied: “I don’t know, you say that, if you’re going to do that why would you buy Pepe? Because he’s a winger.
“So I think he might stick to a back four and let Pepe do the wide berth, which they’ve been lacking.
“It’s been a long time since they’ve had a wide player get to a byline and start pulling balls back.
Arsenal: Wright sends Emery warning after Pepe signing
“They’ve got two natural goalscorers so I think they’re an exciting team actually this year Arsenal, I’ll be interested to see how they get on.
“I think they’ve got a great chance of finishing in the top four.”
Both Pepe and Luiz were named on the bench for Arsenal's opening Premier League game of the season at Newcastle United on Sunday.