Nicolas Pepe may have missed a gilt-edged chance for Arsenal in the first half against Sheffield United, but his overall performance was a big improvement on what Gunners fans have seen during the early weeks of the season.
The Ivorian international started the attack which led to his missed opportunity and was constantly making runs and taking on players when in possession. Fans on Twitter feel the £72m signing was showing signs of promise and were frustrated that he was taken off by Unai Emery:
Shouldn’t have subbed him
— David (@David_6878) October 22, 2019
Best player on the pitch. Easy.
— Ws Akhil (@WSA_97) October 22, 2019
I thought he was our best player and didn’t agree with him being subbed
— Kane (@KPB264) October 22, 2019
He was good. Ludicrous he was subbed. Only player that looked dangerous
— Daniel Meta (@danielmets) October 22, 2019
Was our best player by a mile. Shocking miss but only one who looked dangerous.
— James Wager (@goonerwager) October 22, 2019
Yea.. Arguably the best player for us in the game last night. I personally wanted him longer on the pitch.
— Ladies Finger (@Afrikcordonbleu) October 22, 2019
Pepe will come good, no question about that. The problem with us is Emery, his negative approach is killing this team.
— EmeryOut (@wazzak23) October 22, 2019
That’s the problem he is always good with dribbles and never afraid to hit a shot it just never goes in.
His finishing is so poor, we can’t win matches with good dribbles and bad end product he needs to do better.— Tizzygunnerz? (@dersilver97) October 22, 2019
Staggering call to sub him.
— James Dall (@JamesDall_) October 22, 2019
I genuinely thought he had a great game. Beat players regularly and was always available.
— Ciarán Buggle (@CiaranBuggle) October 22, 2019
Problem is he never looks like scoring or creating anything
— David Hill (@DavidHi87344943) October 22, 2019
Pepe was our biggest threat and Emery had the audacity to take him off. Imagine.
— I b b y (@sadandguji) October 22, 2019
Of course, when you pay such a sizeable sum, you expect Pepe to put away the chance he squandered, but despite the lack of end product, there was certainly cause for optimism.
With Alexandre Lacazette now having returned to fitness, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in good goalscoring form, the attacking trio all supporters wanted to see at the start of the season may now be given an extended runout.