Morning all.
Mikel Arteta:
Pepe ( well, his partner) had a baby last night. At 2-3am (Thursday morning) he text me and said ‘Yeah I want to come and help the team’. So this thing happened and it isn’t a coincidence, it’s because the togetherness and unity is there.
I know we didn’t kick off until 7- 45pm but even so, it would’ve been easy for him to drop out of the squad for the Wolves game. I can think of a few players past and present who’d possibly love an excuse to stay at home. Anyway, Pepe isn’t one of them and his goal was one of the most important ones he’s scored since joining Arsenal. In my opinion anyway. The goal itself was brilliant and it looks better every time I watch it and the fact he did it against one of the most organised defensive setups in the league, made it even better.
It’s funny though because having read around both the back pages and a few Arsenal forums, one goal this season means Mikel Arteta has to give Pepe more playing time. Yep, the same reporters who’ve spent the last year or so writing about “Arsenal’s £72m flop” now see him as one of Arsenal’s first names on the team sheet. Ok, slightly exaggerated perhaps but I’m sure you get the drift.
The problem for Pepe, has in my opinion, been his transfer fee. For £72m, ‘everyone’ expects a fantastic player whose performances dictate his starting place in the team but for Pepe, that hasn’t always been the case. Certainly not since Mikel Arteta became manager. Why? One can only assume that’s he’s not done enough to prove he’s a better option to others. Pepe has been involved in just 11 Premier League fixtures this season and his goal against Wolves is his one and only. Last season, Pepe featured in 29 league matches, scoring 10 goals. Not bad for a winger but what about the rest of his game? If my memory serves me right, the general consensus here on HH was that he didn’t do enough, was predictable and at a push, shouldn’t be playing. Yes, he was a £72 million flop.
He’s not a flop though, he’s just struggled to adapt to English football where referees think it’s ok for him to be kicked about a bit. He’s been inconsistent, but then so have others. Xhaka, Partey, Lacazette, Martinelli, Saka to name just a few – they’ve all had good and bad games this season.
If Pepe’s position is seen by Mikel Arteta as playing on the right, he’s unlikely to start ahead of Saka. Could he replace Lacazette? In theory, absolutely he could, but then the team will miss the hard work our current captain gets through and possibly suffer because of it. For now at least, I can’t see Pepe being anything than a substitute, although with 3 fixtures within 9 days I think it is next month, he might get to start one of them. Or if one of our front players suffer an injury which is no different to any other player whose name is in the match day squad but not the starting eleven.
Just because Pepe scored a crucial goal against Wolves, or that he remains our record signing in terms of transfer fee, it doesn’t mean he should start the next game in my opinion. After all, just because Eddie Nketiah played the ball to him for his goal, I doubt many Arsenal fans would expect him to start against Watford. Or be happy if if did.
Substitutes are about trying to make a difference and there’s no doubting both Pepe and Nketiah did on Thursday. But what about the rest of the season? What were they doing then?
See you in the comments a bit later.
It’s a squad game and currently we appear to have one that is inspired to support each other.
The way Holding performed in his recent cameo , the way that when we score , the first player on the scene to congratulate is Elneny , The way that Lacazette is working for the team and the way he accepts the criticism of not scoring when he is not playing in a position to do so..
Pepe and Nketiah got a chance and both put in a full effort , perhaps they need more time on the pitch , maybe the substitutions could be made earlier.
Over the past few seasons the players have come in for a lot of criticism , many have gone the ones that remain are bonded together
.
Perhaps Arteta got something right .
Good morning Rico.
I think it is significant that Pepe scored his goal not from his favoured spot, the right corner of the penalty area, but from close to the penalty spot itself. By operating in the central attacking position he gives himself options to score to either side of the goal rather than curving the ball into the top far corner.
Having said that, I don’t think he can play as a conventional centre forward but maybe as a false nine.
Morning Rico and all
I remember the interview Pepe done a while back and he admitted he had trouble coping with the price Arsenal paid for him. Let’s just hope that he can now string a few good matches together.
Congratulations Pepe and his partner on becoming new parents.
Afternoon Rico, great post on Nico, no Rico I cannot imagine Mesut Ozil doing what Nico did, says it all really…
A lot of Rico’s and Nico’s there but you get my drift… 😉
Exactly Potter, just what I was trying to say in yesterday’s post. It explains, and more than justifies the reasons for moving on players as Arteta and Edu etc have done.
It’s a great shame Emery wasn’t supported in the same way as we might be further forward in this “process” than we are.
Morning Cicero, Geoff.
I think Pepe could play through the middle, as long as someone else in the team is capable of doing the grafting Lacazette does. Eg, a new midfielder in the summer because Xhaka has the pace or stamina to get up and down the pitch imo.
Wake up Leeds, and score three second half goals please…
wake up Leeds for not be relegated
But I don’t like Leeds 🙂
Has anyone seen Gabriel Paulista’s goal today? (Mallorca-Valencia)
Good result at Old Trafford.
Well done Watford and thanks…
We’ve got Watford next . won’t be easy
Roy Hodgson is doing a job there at the moment
Just what I was thinking.
I see that Carl Jenkinson is having a good time in Melbourne Top of the league .
Good for Jenks.
Thanks for mentioning, Joaquim Moreira.
I just looked Gabriel Paulista’s goal, and that was a beauty.
Breaking news. Abramovich is giving “stewardship of Chelsea FC to the club’s charitable foundation.
Thank heavens for Phil Foden…
City got away with one – Rodri’s handball – definite penalty in my eyes..
Sue, if you get the chance to see the video for Missing I reckon it was filmed in Balham.
Although I didn’t see the El Morocco tea room where everything is ‘off’….
How right you are, Kev – I’ve seen it plenty of times; loved it back in the day 🙂
Balham Gateway to the south said Peter Sellers but he knicked it from Tony Hancock ‘s half hour .Still it made the place famous for a bit.
So now it is repoerted that Gabriel has spoken in support of Aubameyang and saying the rift was caused by Arteta . Truth or journalistic hyperbole ?
A little exaggerated probably , but is it the time to go blabbing to the media .
Sometimes you can’t help but believe that London Colney leaks like a sieve .
I’m not a bitter man but I do hope Leeds get relegated after helping Tottenham
Morning all.
New post up now