According to the latest reports, Arsenal boss Unai Emery has stated that he might be able to give new signing Nicolas Pepe a starting berth for the crunch fixture against Liverpool on the weekend at Anfield. The Ivorian star forward came off the bench for Arsenal in the first two games of the season and showed some great touches and flicks in those cameo roles giving his boss a possible identification that he could actually get the nod for the Liverpool game.
Arsenal Boss Thinks This Player Could Star Against Liverpool
It will be an intriguing battle at Anfield this Saturday as Arsenal make the trip to Merseyside to face Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool. The Reds sit at the top of the Premier League table and are ready to give it another shot for the title against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City. Last season, Liverpool racked up a staggering 97 points, which was incidentally the most ever in a season ever since the club was formed back in 1892. However, they still finished just one point behind Manchester City.
Unai Emery stepped into the heavy boots of Arsene Wenger who departed Arsenal last summer and did not do a relatively bad job as he guided the club to a fifth-place finish but failed to bring back Champions League football for the North London club. The Spanish boss implemented his philosophy into the club but did not manage to bring elite football back to the Emirates Stadium.
However this summer, Arsenal did manage to recruit some top quality players so they can compete for major honours this season. One major signing that the club made was Nicolas Pepe from Lille. The 24-year-old became the most expensive player to join Arsenal, as they splashed out £72m for his services and Emery is happy to have him on board.
Can This Player Make An Major Impact For The Gunners Under Emery?
Pepe caught plenty of clubs in Europe by storm last season. That with his stellar displays for Lille. Arsenal broke the bank to negotiate a deal for the star winger this summer transfer window. Pepe has made two substitute appearances for Arsenal. He might make his start for the club at one of the best stadiums in England at Anfield. Emery hinted that he could give Pepe a starting role against the Champions Of Europe.
The 47-year-old Emery recently spoke to reporters about the game against the Merseyside outfit. He said, “The most important thing is to help him and his family to feel comfortable here. Now he is three weeks into working here with us. He did not do the pre-season here. But he is progressively feeling better. For example, in the first match, he played 15 minutes in Newcastle. Then he played 45 minutes against Burnley. I think his individual performances are progressively getting better. For Saturday, he is maybe ready to have more minutes. I am going to decide tomorrow. Really his progress has been positive and has been good for the team and for him. The most important piece of the adaptation is to help him to feel easy and be comfortable with us.”
This match against Liverpool will be a crucial one. Both teams will want to win it. They will be focused on building more momentum, as they look to contend for the Premier League title. It will be a key game for the Reds, as they will be at home.
Liverpool is eager to win the top flight of English football. They fell just short last season. They will want to go a step further this time. This game against the Londoners is quite crucial. It will be interesting to see how things develop now. Though Pepe will surely be a key player for the visitors.
