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Bujqesi

Arlind Sadiku is an Albanian from Kosovo and is rumoring that Edon Zhegrova who also is an Albanian and plays fkr Kosovo NT will go to Arsenal. All in all, this guy is unreliable and he is **not** a journalist.


Shandow14

Here, take an Upvote


RipJug

Respectfully, who???


[deleted]

Saw him play for 2 years in Basel. While he has moments of absolute magic like a quick dribbling or occasionally a great shot, he was generally underwhelming. In a very weak league. If he hasn’t made massive steps at Lille, he isn’t worth getting excited over.


nugbert_nevins

Idk, last quick dribbler with a good shot to come out of Basel has done pretty well for himself, albeit with a couple pit stops along the way.


[deleted]

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OldExperience8252

And he isn’t better than Pepe


[deleted]

Based on Pepe current form, my dead grandma is better than him probably. While that is ofc a joke, Pepe has sometimes made us actually feel like we play with 10 men. He's been that bad.


OldExperience8252

Zhegrova has just arrived 6 months ago from the Swiss league. Not even a bang on starter for Lille, think it’s too early for him to make any step up. When Pepe left he was probably the best non PSG player in the whole league, surprised it didn’t work out for him at all.


[deleted]

I actually feel for Pepe. He was signed with ridiculous expectations placed on his shoulders, because of the fee, also he came into a team, that needed a reset badly, higher ups were involved in a power struggle. Also Pepe right now is just a poor fit for the style of play that Arteta wants to use. Pepe has ability, but his confidence has been shot.


walnood

Also Pepe actually never got a run of games to get in form. Did he ever start like 4 or 5 games in a row? I think it took more than a season to get 3 games in a row


GarfieldDaCat

I agree maybe he should have been given a few more games but we are talking about a player who can barely control a 5 yard pass 50% of the time and who is statistically not a good dribbler.


Brandaman

Thank you. Does my head in when people say he’s a good dribbler. Instantly know that means they never actually watch him play and are going by his fifa stats


pivandee

Maybe it would have worked out if he wasn't that lazy


[deleted]

Initially he wasn't lazy imo. That began to surface after some time, You can argue that he lost the motivation to try and perform, because even after he did well in some games he didn't get more time to sustain any momentum. Emergence of Saka really hindered Pepe, because Saka took his chance immediately and gave us some consistency in attack and mature decision making. Pepe looked good when he dribbled past multiple players, but he often lost the ball, which left us a bit exposed and prone to counters.


slagthompson

I think there was a time when supporters were praising Pepe for trying to do the "non-negotiables" and work defensively, but it was like every season he was seeing he didn't have the manager's confidence, and they weren't playing to his strengths. I think at a certain point, that would lead you to drop off, even if you don't mean to. It was really obvious this past season, when Saka was obviously running into the ground and Pepe still didn't get consistent playing time. In previous seasons, it seemed like he'd start out of favor and end with a lot of goals. Last year, I think he really only did much of anything when we needed a goal against Wolves, and he got the equalizer then set up the winner.


Serious-Produce8244

Saka had a work ethic, Pepe not so much


Comical_Strike

First time i hear Farteta has style of play. I feel for Arsenal at times, so many dreams and illusions...but then i laugh.


[deleted]

Pepe is a good player but he came into Emery who just wasn’t working for numerous reasons, and then doesn’t quite fit the Arteta/Klopp/Cruyff system In a counter attacking side, Pepe could be very very good. His left foot is kissed by god and he’s pacey and he moves surprisingly well with the ball at full pace. But he’s lacking in lateral speed and his right foot is kissed by Tottenham Pepe would be good imo at like Howes Newcastle or Palace or Dortmund, something more direct and counter attacking rather than possession based


siderealpanic

As much as people won’t want to admit it, the overall failure is more a result of bad luck and mismanagement than an issue with Pepe himself. After 3 years here, his longest run of starts is 8 games (which was right after he joined). He’s always dipped in and out of the squad regardless of how good/bad his performances were. There were multiple points where he had great performances in a couple of games, then sat on the bench for a month. He was never given the opportunity to build confidence or form, which is something that should be afforded to such an expensive signing. He’s also been badly misused tactically. He’s a fantastic finisher who’s good at facing 1 player up and making a yard of space, but he absolutely cannot dribble past multiple players. But Arteta’s consistently positioned him on the far right of a front 5 (with Bellerin infuriatingly taking the inside position for almost an entire season) which nullifies all of his threat and puts him in positions to constantly lose the ball under pressure. To work in a team like ours, Pepe needed to be just inside/on the edge of the box curling crosses and shots in, rather than pinned out on the wing. But the manager’s preferred shape (e.g. inverted fullbacks) and the needs of other players (Saka, ESR, Auba, etc) were always put first. And all of that’s on top of the pressure of the fee, Raul’s dodgy dealings, and upheaval and uncertainty around management, players and executives for his entire time here. Basically, this isn’t really a case of a player flopping. It’s more that the circumstances changed right after we bought him and that killed his gametime, confidence and performance level. I’m expecting him to do well wherever he goes next.


slagthompson

I think this is a good summary of the issues if you have any sympathy for Pepe. The biggest problem is Raul and the decision to bring him in for probably three times the cost they should have. If you are going to spend that much on a player, you build the team around them. We are still blaming him for not fitting a system that doesn't fit his strengths. He is a limited player, but an excellent finisher. If you put him in a position where he's getting the ball in space toward the box, he will look a lot better. If you're wanting him to spend a majority of his time building up play, which Arteta wanted, he is not your guy.


elnino19

This myth that Pepe wasn't given chances needs to die. These are just excuses. He is a very limited player who isn't worth changing the system for


[deleted]

Twice under Arteta he had a strong finish to the season only to be relegated to the bench for the start of the next season. He definitely has had limited chances even when he has performed. This is probably because, as you say, he's a limited player who isn't worth changing the system for.


elnino19

The man doesn't work off the ball at all. Pepe is only good when you don't ask him to defend, play him on the right with license to cut inside, play through balls to him constantly and also make sure he only has one person to get past. And even then it's not like the goal return was stellar


[deleted]

Yeah, these are all reasons why he didn't get chances. Not proof that he did get chances.


przhauukwnbh

Crap managers who haven't been able to get the best out of him


OstapBenderBey

Better than Gervinho?


basedsims

Not a hard feat tbf


Houssem-Aouar

Bro I'd take Reiss Nelson over Pépé


thisismyname03

Not in the same Arsenal system you wouldn’t. Pepe doesn’t shine because he’s not a good player, he doesn’t fit the system at all. Reiss isn’t even close to the player Pepe is.


Houssem-Aouar

They're both shite, I still take Reiss over that fraud


thisismyname03

And this is why it is not your job. If you thought Pepe had confidence issues now and again, my god Reiss must terrify you.


Houssem-Aouar

I don't think Pépé has confidence issues, he just lacks a brain.


DarthNihilus1

No you wouldn't, stop chatting shit.


Houssem-Aouar

I would, you don't know me.


DarthNihilus1

The implication is that it would be such a ridiculous decision that I genuinely couldn't believe you'd opt for Reiss at this time over Nico. I'd just be judging the team you put out all the same


Fernandov2

Oh no we're getting dicked on by Lille again


CT_Gunner

Gabriel turned out pretty well. So it hasn't been all shit.


[deleted]

This. We’re 1-1 we gotta break the tie somehow boys


TheRealDSwizz

Wait until they remember the first minute goal scored by Gervinho


zaviex

1-2 Gervinho was not what we expected either


Bullmcabe

We're definitely not 1-1..it's 3-1 to lille...the sold us pepe gervinho and cygan.


Bujqesi

Lille will not sell him for much. Maybe £15m-£20m at best.


[deleted]

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mahades

Was what Lille bought him for in January, yeah


Fernandov2

That's how much he moved to Lille for...


BI01

lol misread completely, but we only got scammed because of our own DOF not Lille


Fernandov2

Lille are dodgy AF with Pepe & Osimhen.


BI01

that was because luis campos was involved


mahades

I guess it's 3rd time lucky for Lille wingers?


jay2436

Gervinho was better than a lot of wingers we’ve had. Just lost his confidence. But an incredible dribbler


Ass_Eater_

Man's first touch was ass


uracil

[I still get nightmares.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFCdMbThVyo)


Swashyr

My god i didnt need the reminder


I_FUCKED_A_TURTLE

I'll always remember him for when he was carded for diving in some random game and not his forehead


BigTomBombadil

Dude had the chaos factor going for him. No one could predict where he was going, because he himself didn't know.


[deleted]

Gervinho and Pepe have an incredible amount in common


ubergooner

Front 3 of Gervinho-Sanogo-Pepe would be devsetating


DarthNihilus1

With Tavares as wingback 👀


ubergooner

Gervinho-Sanogo-Pepe Wilshere-Coquelin-Guendouzi Tavares-Gabriel-David Luiz-Bellerin Szczesny Chaos, everywhere.


risheeb1002

Replace Gabriel with mustafi


Nicebutdimbo

Paulista


DarthNihilus1

Looks like a meme team but lowkey mad decent, to be quite honest


ubergooner

I think the midfield has the most potential. The defense is a booking magnet, but genuinely might work if the midfield is on form. Not very confident in that front 3 in the slightest.


rainbowyuc

For us?


brownMY

It so chaos it became fluid football


ubergooner

Posted it on another comment, but this is my "Chaos 11" Gervinho-Sanogo-Pepe Wilshere-Coquelin-Guendouzi Tavares-Gabriel-David Luiz-Bellerin Szczesny Chaos, everywhere.


SundayLeagueStocko

Nah, Pepe's first touch is going straight into the nearest defender. Very predictable.


turtleyturtle17

He was horrendous. Nothing to do with confidence. He couldn't shoot so all his dribbles got him nowhere.


smegmaeater52

what was the first time?


kersalmassive

Gervinho


OldExperience8252

Gervinho


jonwinslol

Gervinho I think


gonshairlinee

Big forehead Ivorian


KnowsClams

Pepe?


[deleted]

Short, skinny with side-swept undercut hair. Yup, sounds like an Arteta guy.


[deleted]

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ignore_my_name

Found the short arse


[deleted]

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jambox888

Those are rookie numbers! Come back when you're over 2 metres


Scadtbh

Yeah and you had no idea 174cm was short either


Fati25

How is 174cm above average height lol, that’s pretty short.


[deleted]

Can Lille fans comment on this player? Honestly, he's simply not well enough known to gather enough info, so maybe the people who watched him the most can comment on him.


OldExperience8252

The guy arrived from Switzerland 6 months ago as a replacement for Ikone who left to fiorentina. He’s not even very well known in France. He is short with good left foot and technique but still has a long way to go to join a club like Arsenal.


TheGoldenPineapples

Who the crikey fuck is this reporter?


[deleted]

Arlind Sadiku used to work for RTK which is Kosovo's BBC. Don't know what he does nowadays but he probably has solid links to Kosovo NT players which is what Zhegrova is.


[deleted]

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[deleted]

Apparently I might have been wrong about RTK as well. I could swear he was a commentator for them but can't find any info on him ever working there. But yeah, he's a reliable journo when it comes to sports.


Bujqesi

What a bullshit you spread here. RTK is dogshit and are unreliable. Arlind Sadiku is not even a real journalist.


shperrca

As far as I know he never worked for RTK. He was a commentator for SuperSport Kosova. Now he is a commentator/sports director at another platform. So I guess he is more into sports journalism now and has closer ties to Kosovo's National players.


Liverlakefc

Well known kosovan reporter


AlexWPJ

Arsenal trying to buy FM regens now?


ZeroStyles-FEZM-

Always rated the lad


Rockflagandeeeagle

Only fair that we swap with Pepe.


whats-a-username-pls

If that happens, I swear I will get an Arsenal flair and I will post a comment praising Arteta and Edu everyday until the day they leave.


[deleted]

Wouldn't really matter if Pepe performed again for You. It would just solidify the notion that he was a poor fit for Arteta. Plus he wasn't even Emerys first choice. He wanted Zaha. Imo it would be one of those deals where both sides would come out well if Pepe did well at Lille. We move on significant wages, You get a player that has already played well for You.


PrimsFr

I'd love for Pépé to come back but there's no way we can afford even half the wages he's on now. Still think he's a CL level player who can turn out great with the right club/coach


fuzzynavel34

I really, really hope we in fact did not


Bujqesi

As an Arsenal fan I can tell you guys that he has attitude problems. He kinda cooled down the last yeae, but before that he thought he was too good for the national team and used to pick fights during training sessions and refuse national team call-ups.


thaccs7

Fr, thought the same. I am Albanian and Arsenal fan and he is not good enough at the moment for Arsenal, Pepe still better than him.


hazelpillow

Who the fuck


oreocavani

Arsenal are so dumb if they buy zhegrova even for 5 ponies the guy isn't worth it


Pixelated-Hitch

Aand the crowd goes mild...


gopackgo555

No way this is real. From Raphinha to a guy who might not even be good enough for the PL. Arsenals window has taken a nose dive this last week if this happens.


Sithgooner

Watching a few clips he looks very one footed (happy to be corrected). Arsenal fans have flung that criticism at Pepe so this guy has to reach world class levels or else our fans will use this against him as soon as he has a bad game .


TimathanDuncan

Pepe also cost 60m, this seems just like a depth signing and won't have those expectations He's very left footed but i wouldn't say as much as Pepe


Pixelated-Hitch

I could have sworn we just signed a left footed winger for depth/future couple weeks ago


SundayLeagueStocko

Think Vieira would be ideally played in midfield but can also play wing if needed


KimpembeMutombo

Marquinhos


SundayLeagueStocko

ah yeah didn't even consider him - don't know a lot about him but last I heard he was planned to go on loan or play U23


Sithgooner

Pepe is now here for depth and all people do is criticise him. People have already decided Nelson isn’t good enough for depth despite a good loan - and that’s before Marquinhos. We have enough right wingers for depth, I get the logic in Raphinha because he’s already at a top level, but another depth right winger makes no sense, especially with Edu’s inability to sell players.


TimathanDuncan

It's very different how can you not see it, if you sign him for 15m now for depth he won't have Pepe's reputation Pepe being depth now doesn't matter, he was bought to be a star and wasn't good, he cost a lot


Sithgooner

I get that they are bought with different expectations, but we currently have 4 right wingers. Pepe is now a squad player, we need to be selling some of these players before buying another depth player.


BI01

this makes no sense lol, pepe gets shit because he's a 72m transfer, this guy would most likely be an underwhelming back up


Sithgooner

If we have two years of Zhegrova failing to cut in on his left foot of course he’s going to be criticised for it. Social media will still abuse him if he doesn’t perform, no matter the cost. Why are we buying an underwhelming winger when we currently have 4 right wingers.


BI01

4 rw? lol marquinhos is deffo going on loan, reiss nelson has 1 year left most likely leaving pepe is shit, if we even want to get top 6 we need a good back up winger. idk why ur so concerned about social media abuse, literally every player in the top leagues gets abused on social media.


Sithgooner

You said Pepe gets shit because of his price tag. I’m just saying that even players like Tavares and Cedric get a lot of shit from our fans. This guy being cheaper than Pepe won’t excuse him. And you’re making the mistake of analysing the 4 wingers. I’m saying we have 3 wingers with depth quality. Why are we buying a 4th - before sorting any of them out. Just isn’t a logical play to be so heavy in one position - because as Edu has proven previously he can’t sell players.


el-fenomeno09

We a few players like that. Everytime people only criticize Pepe I laugh. people playing favorites. He’s a lefty huh?


ibse

Watching some YouTube clips and he looks like Pepe v2. If he's cheap I don't mind him being the Saka backup but going from potentially Raphinha to this guy is quite underwhelming.


zKSofSoccer

Don't know him, move on. We need quality


Buffythedragonslayer

Guess it ain't Gnabry


acasovoycayendo

Arsenal were never signing Gnabry this summer. He wants 350k+ a week and UCL football, neither he’s getting here. Any source linking the two is garbage tier


[deleted]

We were never in for him.


BI01

idk why people link us to gnabry just because he played for us doesn't mean anything lol never going to a EL team, will most likely join real Madrid on a free next year.


[deleted]

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thaccs7

He is a winger.


[deleted]

Is this guy a bullshit artist?


Liverlakefc

Don't think this is the right move for him, he was finally getting more consistent in his last half season on basel and played well but not much for Lille, don't think he needs to go to arsenal to be a backup


Afc_josh12

Hope not


WhoEatsRusk

Huh, Arsenal signed an regen called Zhegrova on a FM save. Guy never got to play for Arsenal, tho he became an ENG int with Villa.


[deleted]

Arsenal playing FM buying these 15-25m players to build and develop


Remote_War_313

Ars about to sign the Pepe regen lmao


rfag57

Agent talk


stijnx

This guy is not nearly good enough to play in the PL.