“Much better than Zaha” – these fans loved Pepe’s performance at Anfield
Saturday’s game at Anfield may have ended in defeat, but a number of Arsenal fans got their wish as Nicolas Pepe was handed his first start for the club.
The Ivorian started alongside Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang as Arsenal went for an unconventional diamond in midfield.
After impressing off the bench against Burnley, fans were excited about the prospect of seeing their new man in action and it’s fair to say he did not disappoint if these reactions on social media are anything to go by.
Twitter: @afcstuff @WhoScored Made Andy Robertson look like an out of form Andre Santos. (@EbeningStandard)
Twitter: @EbeningStandard @afcstuff @WhoScored He was abuslutely fantastic against one of the best defenses in europe. Seems… https://t.co/yTfUNqOzKS (@KahrimanovicNed)
Twitter: @afcstuff @WhoScored He is something else (@DennisuarezL)
Twitter: @afcstuff @WhoScored Much better than Zaha (@krismogesi)
Twitter: @afcstuff @YankeeGunner @WhoScored Also the first player to dribble past Van Dijk in 2019… Not a bad start https://t.co/PsUFHmJC1c (@CIgoe85)
Read Arsenal verdict
Some Arsenal fans risk judging the player too quickly, but the early signs are promising for Pepe.
He’ll feel he should have had at least one goal to his name after he caught Liverpool on the counter in the first half.
His speed and tricky footwork saw him evade Jordan Henderson, but he could not find the finish to beat Adrian.
Unai Emery will be hoping that we haven’t seen the best of Pepe as he improves his fitness and acclimatises to the demands of the Premier League in the weeks and months to come.
Anfield is by no means an easy place to go for a new addition to the Premier League, leaving Arsenal and Pepe with plenty of positives to take from his personal performance.