Arsenal: Mikel Arteta says ‘we know the gap we need to fill’
Arsenal star Nicolas Pepe has been one of the biggest transfer flops of the season. That is according to ex-Newcastle and Tottenham midfielder Jermaine Jenas.
After being priced out of a deal for Crystal Palace's Wilfried Zaha, Arsenal signed Pepe from French side Lille after he'd had an impressive 2018/19 season, scoring 23 goals.
The £72million fee smashed Arsenal's previous transfer record and there were understandably high expectations.
But in a team that has struggled to find any form and consistency this season, Pepe has taken time to adapt to English football.
He's also worked under three different managers, who have all opted to leave him out and question his work ethic.
Nicolas Pepe has come in for criticism from Jermaine Jenas (Image: GETTY)
With two games left of Arsenal's season, Pepe has eight goals and nine assists for the campaign.
However, Jenas has been less than impressed by what he's seen from the Ivory Coast star.
When asked if Pepe would be considered among the league's biggest flops from last summer transfer window when taking his £72m fee into account, Jenas said: "Oh yeah. That's up there with Joelinton.
Nicolas Pepe is Arsenal's club record signing (Image: GETTY)
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Jenas' comments come after Arsenal legend Tony Adams was similarly scathing in his assessment of Pepe.
"I was very against Pepe to be honest with you because we had Saka coming through, we’ve got Eddie [Nketiah], Reiss Nelson, Martinelli," Adams told Stadium Astro.
"We’ve got a lot of kids that need to play and to go and buy [Pepe for] £72m, I thought it could have been used in different areas."
Pepe will have a chance to silence his critics on Sunday when Arsenal host relegation-threatened Watford on the final day of the season.
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