Arsenal’s record signing Nicolas Pepe has made headlines recently with his impressive performances off the bench, including a nutmeg turn which went viral, and now the Ivorian international is being likened to Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah.
Pepe’s impressive substitute cameos earned him a place in the starting line-up against Liverpool, and despite the Gunners losing 3-1, he impressed.
He arguably should have put Arsenal in front, when he drove at the Liverpool back-line in a counter-attacking move from a Reds corner, but shot tamely at Adrian.
The 24-year-old scored a mouth-watering 22 goals last season and notched 11 assists in what was an influential outing for Lille last campaign.
Now, Pepe is expected to transfer that form to the Premier League, with Liverpool legend and Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher comparing the winger to Salah.
“Nicolas Pepe normally plays right hand side, coming inside on his left. That’s why Liverpool never took him,” explained Carragher.
“There was lots of speculation, but he’s a Mo Salah type of player really.
“Aubameyang does that from the left. I’m not saying they’re going to play really wide but you can understand not playing Lacazette through the middle."
Carragher then went on to explain the decision to omit Alexandre Lacazette in favour of starting Pepe and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang together, despite the French striker starting this season off well.
“I think it’s a tactical decision leaving Lacazette out. If you play against Liverpool, you have to attack the spaces behind the full-backs and they are probably Liverpool’s two most creative players.
“Unai Emery has looked at that and thought, do I go defensive or do I try to push those full-backs back or, if they do go forward, can we push in behind.”
