A winger wouldn’t have been first on many Arsenal fans’ list of priorities during the summer transfer window, but manager Unai Emery was keen to add speed and guile out wide.
The impending capture of Nicolas Pepe does present Emery with another potent attacking weapon, but it may also cause him a few problems in terms of tactical flexibility.
Pepe has on occasion been used as a centre forward but the vast majority of his games as a professional footballer have been as a right-winger.
In a 3-5-2, it seems unlikely that the Ivorian would fit in. He would not suit the centre-forward role and he would certainly be out of position as a wingback.
Although he could be used upfront in a 3-4-3, it is not something we have seen Emery use very often, and when it was used, it led to some very below-par performances, such as the away defeat to Everton, and the away leg loss to BATE Borisov.
It appears likely that the Gunners boss will be sticking with a back four for the majority of next season. Reports suggest that the back three experiment was deemed to be a failure by Emery, and the signing of Pepe does back up those claims.
So, how will the Gunners line up next season when everyone is fit?
Goalkeeper
Benrd Leno will be guaranteed first choice with Petr Cech having retired, and his new understudy Emi Martinez is not of the required quality to be a genuine rival to the German.
Fullbacks
Ainsley Maitland-Niles will likely start the season at right-back until Hector Bellerin returns to fitness. On the other flank, Nacho Monreal and Sead Kolasinac may have a new signing to contend with if the club can get a deal for Celtic’s Kieran Tierney over the line.
Centre-Backs
This area clearly needs strengthening but as things stand Calum Chambers or Shkodran Mustafi will be vying to partner Sokratis until Rob Holding gets back fit.
Central Midfield
Emery will need to find room for Dani Ceballos. The Spaniard is not really comfortable playing in an advanced role so he could be partnered with either Lucas Torreira or Granit Xhaka.
The attacking midfield role is Mesut Ozil’s to lose, especially with Aaron Ramsey no longer at the club. Whether Henrikh Mkhitaryan will get much of a look-in, we shall see. Joe Willock could also be a contender for the position.
Forwards
On the verge of being the club’s record signing, Pepe will be a cast-iron starter on the right flank. For some supporters, the dream trio would be to have Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to play alongside the Ivorian, but will that happen?
The likes of Alex Iwobi, Mkhitaryan, Reiss Nelson and Eddie Nketiah will also want to put their names forward for a place in the frontline. Still, you can’t help but get excited by the prospect of an Aubameyang, Lacazette, Pepe frontline. It will rival the best in the league.
