Three wingers Arsenal can target to replace Nicolas Pépé in January
Three wingers Arsenal can target to replace Nicolas Pépé in January
Pépé to assess options in January
Arsenal could be forced into the January transfer market after winger Nicolas Pépé has cast doubt over his future at the Emirates.
The Ivorian winger is said to be frustrated with his lack of match minutes under Mikel Arteta this season as reported by Football.London, after the Gunners headmaster has not called upon the former LOSC Lille standout in the starting XI since matchday eight and has not made an appearance in the Premier League in five straight fixtures.
Nicolas Pepe at the end of last season:
🗣️ “It’s frustrating for any player to be on the bench. The role of a super sub? The coach makes his choices. It’s up to me to show him so that I don’t have this role.”https://t.co/0oTm8Itt72
— Chris Wheatley (@ChrisWheatley_) December 7, 2021
There now exists a real possibility that Pépé could part ways with Arsenal in a January period that could leave the club in a tricky scenario with just Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, and Gabriel Martinelli as their true options on the flanks.
With that in mind, here are three wingers that Arsenal can target in January should Pépé head for the exit row.
Noni Madueke; another English prodigy at Arsenal?
Given the transfer remit that has taken hold at Arsenal since the summer, it is fair to suggest that the Gunners would survey options for players that fit the current age profile of 23-years-old or younger. Noni Madueke certainly fits the bill.
EINDHOVEN, NETHERLANDS – OCTOBER 16: Noni Madueke of PSV, Bram van Polen of PEC Zwolle during the Dutch Eredivisie match between PSV v PEC Zwolle at the Philips Stadium on October 16, 2021 in Eindhoven Netherlands (Photo by Photo Prestige/Soccrates/Getty Images)
English homegrown by way of London, Madueke came through the youth ranks at rivals Tottenham but eventually moved to the Netherlands to complete his education with Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven, and eventually made his full debut for Boeren when he was seventeen.
He ticks quite a few boxes for Arsenal given the homegrown quota, his age profile, but also his versatility on the tactics board. Capable of playing on the right, in the number 9 role, or even on the other flank.
Luis Sinisterra; solution to Arsenal goal crisis
Another winger based in the Eredivisie that could offer an intriguing solution for Arsenal is Feyenoord’s 22-year-old Colombian international Luis Sinisterra.
🇨🇴 Luis Sinisterra ⚽️⚽️
🔴⚪️⚫️ Feyenoord extended their unbeaten run to 10 games in all competitions 🔥🔥🔥@Feyenoord | #UECL pic.twitter.com/5uJyu5GoM5
— UEFA Europa Conference League (@europacnfleague) December 2, 2021
Sinisterra is a leading light at the De Kuip Stadium this season in Rotterdam, and has bagged 7-goals in 14-appearances in the league while smashing 14-goals across 25-appearances in all competitions. Previously linked with heavy interest from PIF-backed Newcastle United, the Colombian starlet could potentially help solve the issue of goals at the club that currently persists at the Emirates after just Emile Smith Rowe and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are the only players to have scored more than two goals in the Premier League for the club this term.
Dante Vanzeir; under-the-radar value
Just across the border in Belgium, Dante Vanzeir is one of the stories of the Jupiler Pro league after the new Belgian international has helped promoted outfit Union St.Gilloise along their storybook journey as they sit atop the table in their return to top flight football.
🇧🇪 Forward Dante Vanzeir has been one of the best players in the Jupiler Pro League this season according to our site ratings. He’s part of that Union Saint-Gilloise team sitting top of the table.
⚽️ 0.63 Non-penalty goals per 90
🅰️0.49 Assists per 90
🔑1.32 Key passes per 90 pic.twitter.com/YGRyPNZ3OA— ScoutCharts (@scoutcharts) November 30, 2021
Vanzeir is a name most would not have ever heard of, certainly before this season, but his profile would certainly suit. He came through the youth ranks at KRC Genk and the early years of his career as a right-sided winger, but has shone as a center-forward for USG. But he is so much more than a goalscorer.
The Beringen-born forward is as much of a threat in front of goal (9-goals) as he is in terms of his ability to supply others (9-assists), and offers technical qualities that would suit the standards at the Emirates.
