Ex-Arsenal boss Unai Emery claims he wanted to sign Zaha over Pepe

Former Arsenal boss Unai Emery has recently spoken out about favouring a move for Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha over Nicolas Pepe.

Pepe’s Arsenal struggles

On paper, Arsenal’s 2019 summer transfer window seemed rather successful.

The likes of Dani Ceballos, Kieran Tierney and Gabriel Martinelli all looked like solid signings for a side no doubt eager to secure Champions League football for the first time in several years.

Their star signing that summer, though, was most certainly Nicolas Pepe.

The Ivorian winger had lit up Ligue 1 in the previous season with Lille, netting 22 goals and providing 11 assists in 38 league ties.

As a result, Arsenal were probably fairly happy to pay a club-record £72m to acquire the services of the former Lille hitman.

However, since making the switch to north London, Pepe has endured a rough period, which has seen him score just four and assist six in 24 league outings.

LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 28: Unai Emery manager of Arsenal during the UEFA Europa League group F match between Arsenal FC and Eintracht Frankfurt at Emirates Stadium on November 28, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)

Emery wanted Zaha

And now, as mentioned above, the man in the Arsenal dugout when Arsenal signed Pepe, Unai Emery, has claimed he wanted to sign a different attacker instead of the 24-year-old.

The man in question was Pepe’s international teammate and Crystal Palace standout, Wilfried Zaha.

Arsenal were heavily linked with Zaha this past summer, but in the end, the Gunners, of course, opted for Pepe.

And when speaking about Arsenal’s club-record signing recently, Emery stated that he needs time and patience, but what he wanted was someone who already knew the Premier League.

The Spaniard then went on to praise Zaha for his ability to win games on his own before claiming he told Arsenal that the Eagles man was the player he wanted:

“We signed Pepe.

 “He’s a good player but we didn’t know his character and he needs time, patience.

“I favoured someone who knew the league and wouldn’t need to adapt. Zaha won games on his own: Tottenham, Manchester City, us. Incredible performances. I told them: ‘This is the player I know and want.’

“I met Zaha and he wanted to come. The club decided Pepe was one for the future. I said: ‘Yes, but we need to win now and this lad wins games.’ He beat us on his own.”

Emery went on to concede that Palace didn’t want to part with Zaha, who was said to have been expensive:

“It’s also true he was expensive and Palace didn’t want to sell. There were a series of decisions that had repercussions.”

Quotes via Goal.

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