Former Arsenal midfielder Stewart Robson believes Nicolas Pepe's impending move to the Emirates Stadium is proof head coach Unai Emery has given up on Mesut Ozil and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
Pepe is on the verge of joining Arsenal from Lille.
Football.london understand Emery's side are in advanced talks with Lille about an €80m (£72m) transfer for the Ivory Coast international with the Gunners beating Serie A Napoli to the 24-year-old, who is expected to sign a five-year-deal.
Pepe would bolster Arsenal's forward ranks, with the Gunners already able to call upon Alexandre Lacazette, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alex Iwobi, Ozil and Mkhitaryan.
Trying to crowbar Lacazette, Aubameyang and Ozil into Arsenal's starting XI proved difficult for Emery in his debut season as manager last campaign with the latter, Arsenal's highest-paid player, regularly benched.
And Robson, who made 150 appearances for Arsenal in the 1980s, reckons Emery's purchase of Pepe - who hit 23 goals in Ligue 1 last season - proves he has all-but given up on Ozil and Mkhitaryan.
The pair made just 39 starts combined in the Premier League last season.
"What it tells me is that Unai Emery has almost given up thinking Ozil and Mkhitaryan can be players that he plays week in, week out,” Robson told ESPN FC.
"They’ve got Iwobi, they’ve got Aubameyang and Lacazette. Aubameyang and Lacazette have to start and if you’re spending this sort of money on a winger, you’re going to have to play him, Pepe.
"So where does Ozil, where does Mkhitaryan, fit into the team? You’re going to have to have either three central midfield players or two central midfield players.
"I can’t see either of those two players getting in the side when he’s got his full team out."
Arsenal fans will likely catch a first glimpse of Pepe in the red and white of the club against Angers on Wednesday or Barcelona on Sunday if he signs early next week.
Robson has done his research on what the Gunners faithful can expect from Pepe.
"(He is) someone who’s very quick, someone who likes to play on the right-hand side and come in on his left foot and join in with the front players," he added. "He can go past people with the ball, he can also score goals.
"He can play up front if required in a 4-4-2, but mainly he’s played on the right-hand side. Unfortunately in the Africa Cup of Nations, (Wilfred) Zaha was playing on the other side for Ivory Coast, they didn’t have a particularly good time, and Pepe didn’t play that well.
"But I think over a long period he will be a good signing."
