Tim Sherwood slams Arsenal signing of Nicolas Pepe, says Bukayo Saka is better

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Former Tottenham boss Tim Sherwood has questioned the recruitment at Arsenal with Nicolas Pepe in the firing line for his criticism.

The Gunners paid £72 million to sign the Ivorian winger in the summer of 2019 and Sherwood told Optus Sport that he wasn’t needed.

Pepe, 25, has only featured in eight Premier League games this season and was suspended for yesterday’s contest.

Sherwood didn’t hold back on Arsenal’s club-record signing, believing a certain academy lad is a better option.

He told Optus Sport: “The recruitment has been bad but it was bad under Unai Emery as well – and he took them to the Europa League final. I am not sure you can keep changing managers – you need the structure and philosophy of the football club.

“It starts with the manager and the sporting director working hand in hand to try and recruit better players. They spent£75 million on Pepe, a record, when they had Saka, a better player than him, sitting in their academy. How can that be right?”

Arsenal are languishing down in 15th place after a fourth Premier League game without tasting victory.

The Gunners are in desperate need of some positive results domestically and Mikel Arteta is desperate for a winning formula.

TBR View – Pepe criticism is perhaps unjust

It does seem somewhat bizarre that Sherwood has chosen to go wading in Pepe – a player who wasn’t available yesterday.

This season Saka is one of many players who have flattered to deceives, scoring just one goal and registering two assists.

Pepe, paid £100,000-a-week by the Gunners has been in fine form on the European front.

He has fired four goals and registered two assists and it’s probably fair to say he deserves a Premier League shot.

Arsenal have struggled badly for a creative spark and there seems no reason why the Ivory Coast international shouldn’t earn a chance to impress in the Premier League.