‘Key objective’ – Arsenal boss Unai Emery says Nicolas Pepe was a priority this summer

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Arsenal boss Unai Emery has told the Evening Standard that signing a top-class winger was a ‘key objective’ for the summer transfer window.

The Gunners landed Lille flanker Nicolas Pepe in a deal worth £72 million yesterday (BBC Sport).

It was thought that Arsenal were to work within tighter financial restraints during the current window but that hasn’t been the case.

The 24-year-old was a revelation in France during the 2018/19 campaign. He netted 23 goals and registered 12 assists as Lille qualified for the Champions League.

Emery says the Gunners beat several top clubs to his signature and was delighted to get the deal over the line.

He told the Evening Standard: “Nicolas is a highly-rated and talented winger who was wanted by many of the top teams in Europe.

“Signing a top-class winger has been one of our key objectives in this transfer window and I’m delighted he’s joining.

“He will add pace, power and creativity, with the aim of bringing more goals to our team.”

TBR Verdict

Pepe has been heavily courted throughout the summer and it is fair to say that Arsenal came out of nowhere to land him.

The winger with bags of potential should be a quality performer for the Gunners next season.

He boasts the ability to take the Premier League by storm and is clearly delighted to have got his man.

Arsenal still need defenders, however, and surely the next task for Emery is to go and pursue a couple of players for the back-line.

If he can add those before the window closes, the Gunners could be in for a very good season indeed.