Former Gunner Nicolas Pepe was named the Player of the Match after providing an assist in Villarreal’s draw with Juventus on Wednesday.
Former Arsenal club-record signing Nicolas Pepe was named in the starting lineup for Villarreal against Juventus on Wednesday, and he certainly had an impact on the contest.
Pepe’s primary influence was on the creative front, completing three dribbles and creating five chances, providing an assist for Villarreal’s opening goal. But the winger also worked hard off the ball, making three interceptions and three tackles.
The assist was a relatively simple one, with Pepe playing a short pass back into Georges Mikautadze’s path after the striker had initially been brought down by a defender.
But Pepe proved a consistent threat throughout the match, and he was ultimately named Player of the Match.
With four goals and assists in nine matches this season, Pepe has made a solid start to the new campaign. He’s already almost halfway to his total of nine goal contributions in 2024/25, and he also scored against Arsenal in pre-season.
There’s still probably a way to go before the 30-year-old could be considered value for the €80m Arsenal paid to sign him all those years ago, but he’s making solid progress.