Liverpool were heavily linked with a move for Nicolas Pepe before he became Arsenal's record signing in a £72m deal in 2019
As much as Arsenal were the ‘plucky underdog’ in the Premier League title race last season, emerging from nowhere to lead the table for the majority of the campaign only to stumble at the final straight as Man City stormed past on their way to an historic treble, they arguably didn’t over-perform as much as you might think.
Of course, both sides’ returns have been bolstered by significant sales along with having already built the majority of their squads to be competing for such titles in the first place. In contrast, the likes of Arsenal have repeatedly splashed the cash, not always successfully, in an attempt to reignite their fortunes.
Reports in France were adamant that the Reds were in for the winger, and were even favourites to land his signature. Yet, with his favoured position the same inverted wide-forward role from the right as Salah, it remains a mystery how anyone expected Pepe to fit in at Anfield. Starting 29 times in 2019/20, making 42 appearances in all competitions, he would return a respectable enough eight goals and 10 assists for Arsenal. Such goal contributions included a vital strike in the FA Cup quarter-finals against Sheffield United, and assists against both Man City and Chelsea as the Gunners won the famous domestic cup, with such a prize earning them European qualification that they would have otherwise missed out on.
Meanwhile, Pepe would make headlines for all the wrong reasons after being sent off for a moronic headbutt on Leeds United’s Ezgjan Alioski in a 0-0 draw at the Emirates in November 2020. The Ivorian would apologise on social media, but manager Mikel Arteta was left fuming at his unprofessionalism.
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