Well I can change my username and the point I made still stands
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I actually said something to the same effect in late May because Sarr has almost the same stats as Pepe when u take out the pens, plus he’s younger. So we will see, hopefully Pepe will just smash it and it won’t matter. Pepe is the hot name so Arsenal won the transfer window but yeh there’s a little concern because last season was really his breakout and he’s never produced like that before. Hopefully he just gets better from here.
Only scrubs wanted Sarr, most of us believers knew deep down we were getting Pepe.
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Sarr has 8 goals and 6 assists while Pepe has 13 non-pen goals and 11 assists so it’s not really the same, plus Pepe earned those pens mostly by himself so we have to credit him for that too. The player who shares similar stats with Pepe I was talking about is Gervinho and we all know that even the 2011 Gervinho wouldn’t worth 80 mil today.
For Pepe, from his style of play I’d at least expect him to earn us some pens next season. Other than that his impact will massively depend on how we play. If we take control of possession and the other teams defend deep, I doubt that he will be more useful than, say a Walcott. But if we play on the counter he will be lethal.
Maybe my first post about him gives a negative vibe 
. Overall I definitely think Pepe will improve us but can’t say that he will be better than, for examples, the likes of Neres. Lozano or Ziyech who would surely go for less .
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Hopefully we’ll hear from Ornstein today
People made the same argument against Lacazette when he was linked to Arsenal. Except they also thought he was too slow.
And Pepe is not Gervinho. He’s Pepe. You can’t legitimately just look at stats and say they’re the same player just because certain stats are similar. There are so many other factors. Besides, their stats weren’t even that similar anyway if you go deeper.
I don’t want to alarm anybody but as well as being Ivorian and signing from Lille Pepe also shares the following characteristics with Gerbeanho.
- They both stand on two legs.
- They both enjoy breathing.
- Both were born in May.
- Both were also born in the twentieth century.
I’m sure there is more but even those things make you think.
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And not being the primary penalty taker has seen Lacazette fail to hit 20 goals in both his seasons at Arsenal. It’s also true he isn’t overly quick.
Where I think Lacazette has proved a lot of people wrong including myself, is with his combination play.
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Didn’t Pepe also win most of those pens though? Pepe’s nothing like Gervinho, other than sharing the same heritage and pace. One has world class technique, first touch and shooting ability, the other is well Gervinho.
I don’t agree with this at all. Walcott was a pace merchant, Pepe is a player who can dribble through 3-4 players and score from 30 yards.
“You’re a wizard Nicolas”
“No I’m not, I’m just Pepe!”
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Cancel the transfer.
Now.
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I was talking about all competitions. If you count the Europa League for Sarr he and Pepe played about the same amount of minutes (200 more for Ismaila) and Sarr ended up with 12 goals 10 assists, none of which were penalties. Pepe as u said, would be at 13 goals 11 assists without the pens.
And btw yes I knew u were talking about Gervinho but as already covered, that’s as asinine comparison.
I’m sorry but I can’t see how Sarr can emulate Pepe. Sarr’s game is way too raw and clumsy. Pepe has amazing technique and has shown great brains in his game last season. Hopefully though, Watford can get Sarr over the line so we can see how he does in the Prem.
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First and foremost, Arsenal look like they might have more money to spend this summer than was reported at the end of the season.
Sky Sports News reporter Kaveh Solhekol gave an insight earlier this month when he said on the Transfer Talk show: "What I have been told is that it suits Arsenal that people think they only have £45m, because when they get into negotiations over a player, the selling club is going to think Arsenal don’t have much money.
"What I have been told is that this is a bit of a smokescreen… We just have to take it with a pinch of salt that Arsenal only have £45m. They are one of the biggest clubs in the world."
:raul:
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Yeah and Sarr is almost 3 years younger than Pepe as well. When Pepe was Sarr’s age he had 3 goals and 1 assists in League 1. So yeh he can develop further. I think Watford is probably a bad place for him to hone his skills, hopefully he’ll stay in France one more year and have more time to refine his game.
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Regarding Pepe Vs Gervinho, let’s not forget that Gervinho got his stats in one of the best lille squads in recent history, winning the league and cup with players like hazard, cabaye etc.
Pepe did it mostly in an average squad, being the shining light that pulled the team into a remarkable second.
Besides, I don’t see how some claim that he’s a speed merchant, when his ball control, finishing are exceptional. And his speed will stay with him for the duration of his contact.
It is indeed true that there were cheaper/younger options it there, and it is a bit surprising that the club went for him.
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The £45m budget is still very much a plausible figure. I’m not sure how people are finding it so difficult to comprehend that you can complete a £72m transfer on a £45m budget. You pay a portion of the fee upfront (which is apparently in the region of £20m in this case) therefore only £20m is removed from your £45m budget.
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