---
title: "These Arsenal fans are split over whether or not to start Pepe against Burnley"
canonical: "https://readarsenal.com/2019/08/15/these-arsenal-fans-are-split-over-whether-or-not-to-start-pepe-against-burnley/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Charlie Smith"
section: "Articles"
published: "2019-08-15T18:30:28Z"
modified: "2019-08-15T18:30:28Z"
---

# These Arsenal fans are split over whether or not to start Pepe against Burnley

Nicolas Pepe made his first appearance in an Arsenal shirt last Sunday, replacing Reiss Nelson for the final 20 minutes in the 1-0 win over Newcastle United.

The 24-year-old looked sharp in the Gunners’ Premier League curtain-raiser at St James’ Park, and many have now called for the £72 million man to be handed a first start this Saturday against Burnley.

![Stu Forster/Getty Images Sport](https://cdn.readeverything.co/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/1167376794.jpg)

However, Unai Emery talking to the media on Thursday, cited by the [club’s official website](https://www.arsenal.com/news/will-nicolas-pepe-make-his-full-debut), remained coy when asked about whether or not the club-record signing will make his first start this weekend.

> I am going to decide on Friday because now is a small difference for my decision about the player.

> It depends how they will be tomorrow in the training. But Pepe is training with us, is improving with us, is knowing us, our idea, our style, is able to understand his team-mates better. Physically also, getting better.

> He’s more close to helping us than he was at the beginning, after giving us an impact during the match.

Arsenal fans were then quick to reply to the news, with some for and some against Pepe turning out from the start against the Clarets.

> Twitter: @Arsenal @UnaiEmery\_ Looked lost against Newcastle. More like gervinho. (@LuxuryPlayer11)

> Twitter: @Arsenal @UnaiEmery\_ Announce pepe start (@Arsenal1886x)

> Twitter: @Arsenal @UnaiEmery\_ Might get 45 minutes judging by what Emery said. Remember what happened with Torreira? He won’… https://t.co/VLVnRHnx5E (@NotSpendFC)

> Twitter: @Arsenal @UnaiEmery\_ I really hope he does. Hope he scores ![❤️](https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/12.0.0-1/svg/2764.svg) (@InEmeryWeTrust2)

* * *

### Read Arsenal verdict

We’re expecting Pepe to be given the nod on Saturday by Emery. The home fixture against Sean Dyche’s side appears to be the perfect time to hand the forward a first start in front of a home crowd.

Pepe could be given the chance to line up alongside Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette for the first time, with the trio expected to form a formidable partnership across the course of the campaign.

He’ll have the license to showcase his attacking talents and get the Gunners supporters on the edge of their seats. If the Ivorian is handed a maiden start, he’ll certainly be eyeing up a first Gunners goal, one that Arsenal supporters will be hoping becomes a regular occurrence.