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Wilfried Zaha will want to show Arsenal made Nicolas Pepe transfer mistake says Ian Wright
Arsenal signed Nicolas Pepe despite showing strong interest in Wilfried Zaha in the summer.
Wilfried Zaha will want to prove Arsenal they made a mistake in not signing him in Crystal Palace’s trip to the Emirates on Sunday, claims Ian Wright.
Arsenal wanted to sign Zaha in the summer but failed to get a deal over the line.
The Ivory Coast international wanted to join the Gunners but Palace rejected every offer that was made.
Palace wanted up to £80million for Zaha but Arsenal chose to sign his countryman Nicolas Pepe instead for £72m, which will be paid in several instalments.
He’ll be coming to the Emirates wanting to show them what they missed out on
Zaha scored in Palace’s 3-2 win at the Emirates last season and Wright says he will want to prove Arsenal were wrong not to splash out on him in the transfer window.
“Remember as well Zaha, he was linked,” he said on The Kelly and Wrighty Show.
“He’ll be coming to the Emirates wanting to show them what they missed out on.
“We saw it last season, he ripped them to shreds last season.”
Arsenal boss Unai Emery has challenged his players to be up to the battle of thwarting Zaha on Sunday.
"Zaha will come to the Emirates feeling very motivated but our challenge is how we can stop him and also how we can battle against Crystal Palace,” Emery said.
"He's a very good player and he has made the difference in a lot of matches, including against us.
"We also have players to stop him, impose our quality and fill gaps that he usually takes when he plays."
Meanwhile, Pepe scored two late free kicks in the 3-2 Europa League win over Vitoria Guimaraes on Thursday but Emery insists fans need to be patient with the winger.
"We are happy with Pepe and we know there is more to come but it's a process," Emery added.
"We need patience and to be calm, protect and help him because sometimes he can feel under pressure but for me, when we are ready to play under pressure is when we can be better."