Scout Reports

Pépé has potential to be most important FPL asset at Arsenal this season

Nicolas Pépé (£9.5m) has the potential to be Arsenal’s most important Fantasy Premier League asset in 2019/20.

The former Lille winger joins the Gunners with plenty of potential to both score goals and register assists this season.

We have assessed what Pépé is capable of and what he could bring to FPL in 2019/20.

The history and statistics

Pépé in action for Lille last season

Pépé arrives at Arsenal as one of the most promising players in Europe with much expected of him.

In recent seasons the 24-year-old has demonstrated tremendous pace in wide areas and possesses enormous amounts of skill to boot.

Curiously though, the attacking winger started his career as a goalkeeper for local side Solitaire Paris Est in France, playing that position until he was 14.

Pépé’s senior debut came for Angers in 2014 but his first extended period of football came with third-tier side Orléans.

During the 2015/16 campaign with them, he scored seven goals in 29 Championnat National matches.

A full season in Ligue 1 with Angers followed in 2016/17, Pépé scoring three times and assisting once in 11 starts and 22 substitute appearances.

That was enough to earn a move to Lille where the now Ivory Coast international enjoyed a breakout 2017/18 season.

In 36 appearances, Pépé found the net 13 times and provided four assists.

He went from strength-to-strength in 2018/19 as he scored 22 goals and registered 11 assists demonstrating his ability both to put chances away and create them for his team-mates.

Furthermore, Pépé’s attacking statistics were particularly impressive in the wider context of European football.

Pépé was one of just two players in Europe’s top five leagues to score 20 or more goals and register 10 or more assists in the same season. The other? Lionel Messi. Not bad company to be keeping.

For that reason, Pépé was a highly courted player in the summer of 2019, linked with many of the elite European sides.

The fact that he has signed for Arsenal should very much be considered a coup and has been met with much excitement from their fanbase.

It would be fair to say that he is probably one of the most appealing of any new signing made by a Premier League team ahead of 2019/20.

Comparisons

2018-19 Mins per shot Mins per shot in the box Mins per shot on target Mins per key pass
Nicolas Pépé 28.2 46.8 54.5 47.5
Aubameyang 29.1 47.1 68.3 82.8
Lacazette 31 47.3 83.6 80.9
Mkhitaryan 33.6 65.8 117.4 56.7
Ramsey 40 72.8 106.7 51.6
Özil 158.4 193.6 290.3 38.7

The Prospects

Pépé should add both goals and assists to Arsenal this season

Once he has reached the required levels of fitness, Pépé should slot straight into Emery’s Arsenal team seamlessly.

The Gunners have been lacking a pacey wide player with the ability to stretch opponents in wide areas for some time.

The addition of Pépé to their squad enhances Arsenal’s attacking credentials greatly, considering that he is capable both of scoring and setting up goals.

His pace and trickery should help unlock even the most stubborn of defences and cause opponents plenty of problems.

Pépé attempted 5.76 dribbles per game in Ligue 1 last season and that drive should also see him do well in the Premier League, even if the average difficulty level of opponent is likely to rise for him.

As you can see from the table above, Pépé compared very favourably against his new colleagues based on 2018/19’s performances.

His minutes per shot of 28.2 was better than any of the selected attacking options the Gunners had at their disposal last season.

The same goes for his shot in the box every 46.8 minutes and shot on target every 54.5 minutes. As we’ve already explained, we have to attach a caveat to these that the Premier League is a tougher league than Ligue 1 but there is no doubt that Pépé is an exciting attacking talent.

Based on those numbers, there is a chance he can rival both Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.0m) and Alexandre Lacazette (£9.5m) for goal threat, but he also proved in 2018/19 that he is much more creative than them too.

He fashioned a chance every 47.5 minutes, with only Mesut Özil (£7.5m) offering better than that among Arsenal’s ranks last season.

This is why Pépé could potentially overtake his new colleagues and prove to be the most important FPL option among Arsenal’s ranks as he can combine both goals and assists regularly if he lives up to his potential.

The introductory price as a £9.5m midfielder is what seals our serious interest in this player. Already, he can offer a saving of £1.5m against Aubameyang and the fact that he is the same price as Lacazette is also important. While offering an extra point for goals, Pépé will also be eligible for clean sheets which could see him prove better value compared to the Frenchman too.

It is also worth saying that these added levels of creativity, from a wide position, could also boost the attacking potential of Aubameyang and Lacazette at the same time.

However, we should temper the excitement a little bit by explaining some mitigating circumstances for the impressive nature of his 2018/19 campaign.

Of the 22 goals that he scored in Ligue 1, nine of these were from the penalty spot.

It is worth pointing out that Aubameyang and Lacazette are already established penalty takers at Arsenal.

That is not to suggest that Pépé could not work his way into that pecking order, but as things stand we have little evidence to guarantee that he will.

That said, even if Pépé does not manage to challenge Aubameyang or Lacazette for penalty-taking responsibilities, his style of play could still see him win Fantasy points for spot-kicks.

Of the nine penalties that he scored last season, five were won by fouls on him, so it’s possible that he could be the one most likely to secure them for Arsenal this year which, if scored, would afford him assist points.

Finally, Fantasy managers may also have to wait before they can jump straight into signing Pépé for their Gameweek 1 squads.

He was part of the Ivory Coast squad that made it to the quarter-finals of the African Cup of Nations this summer and was given some extended time off.

For that reason, Arsenal’s latest signing was not part of the matchday squad for the 2-1 defeat to Barcelona over the weekend.

“Tomorrow we are going to train together. Each day for him [Pepe] and for us is information we can save. ‘We hope he can be [available] for this match [against Newcastle next Sunday]. With him, I want to be patient. He is in the same situation as the other players who have been coming in the last days. For example, Lucas Torreira, after one week of training today has his first ten minutes. With Pépé, it’s the same. It’s better to be training and be working with us.” – Unai Emery

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1,787 Comments Post a Comment
  1. SUPER MOKH
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    RMT

    Pope (Button)
    VVD Robbo Coleman Walker (Lundstram)
    Perez Salah Sterling Moura (Dendo)
    Vardy Ings (Wickham)

    Thoughts?

    Just wonder, anyone else starting off with Vardy? Who are you doubling him with?

    1. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Like it-Walker not nailed if Cancelo signs and would be good to find way to Getz Digne over Coleman.

      1. dunas_dog
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        * Getz is get!

      2. SUPER MOKH
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Walker replacement? Any idea?

        1. dunas_dog
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Think I would move to 3-5-2 and get Trossard or Barkley over Dendoncker- perhaps get attacking 4.5 at back. I think Guilbert could work out well

        2. Big Daddy Sam
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          David Luiz is alright for the same price

  2. mikeycee93
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    A) King & 6mill
    or
    B) Vardy & Wilson

    1. Make Arrows Green Again
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Sorry, this doesn't make much sense.

      12.5m or 17m. I'd say the latter.

    2. mikeycee93
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      That was meant to be A) Kane & 6mill

      Apologies

      1. Pukki Party
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        B

      2. Make Arrows Green Again
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        B for me then 🙂

    3. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Wrong way around?

    4. Kitman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Clearly B but that's because its about 5 million more firepower

  3. Kitman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Hi guys, what do think of the below

    Pope - Button
    Robertson - TAA - Zinchenko (Dunk - Lundstrom)
    Salah - Sterling - Siggy - Fraser - Perez
    King - Ings (Greenwood)

    Weak upfront and GK but hope the midfield and Def can pick up the slack

  4. Bennison
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Any changes you would do here?

    Heaton
    Robertson/TAA/Coleman/Dunk(Kelly)
    Salah/KDB/Siggy/F.Anderson(Dendoncker)
    Kane/King(Greenwood)

    Weak points I think are:
    No sterling
    Dunk in defence
    Felipe Anderson lack of form at the end of the previous season

    1. Hamstergod
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I'd agree with the weak points, although KDB is a good pick and in a way could cover Sterling.

      Kelly is very unlikely to play, so might be worth replacing with someone who might

    2. JRO093
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Why not just go TAA to VVD and Fanders to Fraser? I would.

  5. simong1
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Team A or B?

    A

    Pope (Button)
    Robbo, VVD, Zinchenko, Dunk, Catchcart (Rotating 4.5s)
    Sterling, Salah, Perez, Barkley (Dendoncker)
    Kane, King (Greenwood)

    B

    Pope (Button)
    Robbo, VVD, Zinchenko, Digne (Lundstram)
    Sterling, Salah, KDB, Perez (Dendoncker)
    Jota, King (Greenwood)

    1. Hamstergod
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A

  6. Hamstergod
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    My first RMT of the season

    Heaton/Ryan

    VVD/TAA/AWB/Shaw/Lundstrom

    KDB/Felipe Anderson/Fraser/Maddison/Dendoncker

    Kane/King/Vardy

    Any thoughts much appreciated.

    0.5 in the bank at the moment.

    1. TRE2
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      No Salah or Sterling? Too risky imo.

      1. Hamstergod
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Yeah, am aware, got KDB instead of Sterling , and with Liverpool my thoughts are to start off with the defenders and then decide whether Salah/Mane are worth it.

        1. TRE2
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          I just think with the ownership you risk falling behind from the off if they haul. I like the KDB pick though.

          1. Hamstergod
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Thanks.

            I see the point, might consider dropping Kane and getting one of them. Although I do feel KDB can at least partially cover Sterling, especially with possible assists on his efforts, etc.

    2. gamesmad11
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Not the template for sure. Do you really need those rotating Goalkeepers? 2 man utd defenders seem to be a bit too punty, I know they've invested in their defence but still too risky to go double man utd def. No Liverpool attacker and sterling are a worry.

      1. Hamstergod
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Thanks, definitely want two playing goalkeepers, and these seem to fit the bill on cheap and reliable 🙂

        Still not too sure on the defense, I expect AWB to still rack up baps, and was considering Shaw/Maguire for attacking threat.

        I'm taking KDB for City at the moment, could get Sterling/Salah but would need to drop Kane and he does have a great fixture to start on, still a big dilemma though

  7. MANGE TOUT RODNEY
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Predict the first bandwagon!

    I'll start with KWP.

    1. Bruce Lee
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Good shout

      That one could end in tears because of rotation

      I think KDB

      1. Stef rocks
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Lol I wouldn’t call exactly bandwagon a player who cost 9.5 mil and who has more than 200pts in 2 of his 3 last seasons lol

        1. MANGE TOUT RODNEY
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Not very highly owned at the moment though, that's the point.

      2. MANGE TOUT RODNEY
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Foyth is out injured and Aurier is a liability so it's his to lose. If he starts off well I think he'll hold onto it.

    2. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Kane as well.
      Might throw KDB in the mix.
      Trossard maybe because he looks lively nice fixtures.
      Wesley for Villa after gw2

      1. MANGE TOUT RODNEY
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Trossard is a great shout if he gets off to a flier GW1.

    3. BarrowAFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Haller after he bags a brace against City

  8. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Right, think i am done! please criticise! leaves 0m

    Ryan -- Heaton
    TAA Digne Zinchecko -- Guilbert Rico
    Salah Sterling Siggy Perez Barkley
    Wilson King -- Greenwood

    1. Hamstergod
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Read that Guilbert is a card magnet.

      Otherwise nice team. Might change Zinchenko for someone else.

    2. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Good team- like the Guilbert pick. Not sure about double Bournemouth as Sheffield United /Villa don’t think will concede as many as some think. Zinc also needs exit plan if Cancelo signs and plays that side of pitch

      1. Concrete
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Cancelo medical tomorrow but I can’t see him playing left back much

  9. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Rethinking team as cannot see good City defence option- was on Laporte but unclear if he will be fit. Which option/structure do you prefer from these options.

    A 4-4-2
    Heaton (McGovern)
    KWP TAA Van Dijk Digne (Lundstram)
    Salah Sterling Pérez Trossard (or Barkley (Dendoncker)
    Kane Ings (Wickham)

    B 3-5-2
    Pope (McGovern)
    TAA Van Dijk Digne (Guilbert Lundstram)
    Salah Sterling Moura Barkley Lanzini
    Wilson Woods (Wickham)

    C 3-5-2
    As B with Vardy King KWP over Wilson Woods and Digne

    D 3-5-2
    As B with King Wesley KDB over Wilson Woods and Moura

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A

    2. Concrete
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A is a nice team

  10. Bruce Lee
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Best 4m def and 4.5m mid for the long term?

    Lundstram and Dendonk?

    Rico seems very short term to me - will he play if Daniels is back?

    1. Thomas Magnum
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Rico short term Lund hpopefully long term and stays oop and 4.5 mids not 100% sure probz just Dendonk should he start the season the way he finished

  11. TheSteel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    I agree with this article. Could be a steal with Salah-esq numbers but i’ll wait and see at 9.5.

    1. Thomas Magnum
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      This and many other options at 9.5 to keep an eye on

    2. AuFeld
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I disagree with this article. Pepe NPxG/90 is not impressive. PEA needs to give up penalty duties to Pepe, in order for Pepe to repeat his success from last season.

  12. Robson-Canoe
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Still trying to figure out how noone has signed Bruno Fernandes yet. The lad is class and not even that expensive compared to many other overpriced players.

  13. Qaiss
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Anyone have a decent mini-league round here that I could join? Thanks 🙂

    1. Qaiss
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I guess not 🙁

      1. Party time
          4 years, 7 months ago

          4oymwo

    2. htfcbrad
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Could really do with saving 1m by swapping VVD --> Gomez/Matip, but put off by the uncertainty of which one of them will start

      1. Thomas Magnum
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Would probably wait a few weeks until you're 100% certain on which'll start before that, i'm sure VVD will outscore whoever you're gonna use the 1 million to upgrade until then

    3. mdm
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Coleman or Zincenko?

      1. Thomas Magnum
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Coleman only because he's more nailed

        1. Pukki Party
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Everton bought a new rb? I'd say equal chances of starting

      2. Robson-Canoe
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Coleman

      3. AuFeld
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Be weary of EVE defense without Geuye. I'm expecting a lot less cs from them.

    4. Thomas Magnum
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      How's this looking guys any advice will be appreciated!
      Heaton 4.0
      Robbo TAA Stones C.Taylor Lund
      Salah Sterling Perez Trossard Dendonkey
      Kane King 4.5
      Cheers

    5. Firmino
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A) Kane, Barkley
      B) KdB, Moura

      1. Thomas Magnum
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        A

    6. Stef rocks
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Folks can you give me some info about FPL draft - never played it before and don’t know what is the difference between draft and FPL

      1. Bruce Lee
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Go to the rules page it will explain it better than any of us

    7. rnrd
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      The pool of Potential great FW between 6 and 7M is so big this year that it really makes 4-5-1 interesting taking into consideration that a well rotated FW between bats, Joelinton, kean, Abraham, Che Adams, Pukki, king, maupay etc might out score a 10+ FW.
      If you have captain material in MID, well I think 4-5-1 with a mid budget FW is worth considering

    8. Tom1804
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Thoughts on this?

      Ederson (Button)

      Azpilicueta, Digne, Maguire, VVD (Dunk)

      Salah, Sterling, Perez, Barkley (Dendoncker)

      Wilson, Haller (Greenwood)

      1. Maddamotha
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Id change Azpi for someone else.

      2. Fpl Richie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Pretty good - not sold on Chelsea defence from the off myself

    9. TheSteel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Is the presser schedule out?

    10. Maddamotha
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Does anyone have any news on Aurier, when is he expected to be back?

      1. how now brown cow
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        He's back in training

        1. Maddamotha
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Bad news

    11. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Cahill at 4.5? Seen worse...

      1. rnrd
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Clearly has some goals in him.
        Cry has been horrible in pre-season but it needs monitoring

        1. Thomas Magnum
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          This

      2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Straight on my watchlist. Thanks.

    12. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      If only Fpl had Harry Wilson in Liverpool squad earlier in he summer, he would definitely have been priced 5.5m or below. Now he is probably be a minimum 6m at Bournemouth

      I can see him taking a share of the set pieces which might make Fraser less appealing

      1. Bruce Lee
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        He signed for Bournemouth?
        Is it a loan or permanent?

        Missed that - very interesting and I agree - he would have been 5.5 but I wouldn’t be surprised if he was 6 or 6.5

        1. Pep's Money Laundry
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          On loan with a stipulation of assured game time

      2. Over Midwicket
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Yeah I might ship our Fraser now. Too much uncertainty.

      3. Fpl Richie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Hmm. He could be the Brooks replacement for a while I assume.

    13. vanishing spray
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Any thoughts on which teams are going to be on the receiving end of 'favourable match-ups' this season? Trying to not be boring with the armband and try to make sure there is a tasty fixture each week for a premium asset.

      From the promoted sides, it looks like Sheff Utd runs a pretty tight ship, not that familiar with the others - or how playstyle in Championship converts into life in the PL. Norwich has historically been a generous opponent (I'm 95% sure we should be able to have Suárez(C) on the 1st GW).

      Will Newcastle (finally) collapse with Rafa gone, or have recent strugglers e.g. Brighton or Southampton improved enough during the summer?

    14. Willllsonnn!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Latest tinker:

      Pope
      Digne TAA VVD AWB (Rico)
      Salah Sterling Perez Barkley (Donks)
      Wilson Haller (Locadia)

      1. Fpl Richie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Similar to mine. I like it though I'm clueless on whether locadia is better than a 4.5 and money in defence/bank.

    15. Eytexi
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Button still the best 4m keeper pick if you don't go for Ryan? Completely unfamiliar with the other options.

      1. Shuko
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Best 4.0 keeper is the one that is most unlikely to drop in price.

        1. Eytexi
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Therefore my question is, do you think that's Button? (due to high ownership)

    16. Fernandito
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Help appreciated guys

      A. Wilson Zinchenko Coleman
      B. King Laporte Digne

      Thanks,

      1. fkmzcgp
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        I’m stuck on similar situation. Read that Coleman might get replaced so tempted to go for B now

      2. Cruyff's Eleven
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Laporte is injured

    17. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      McGinn or Robinson?

    18. Yome
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Wood or King for the start?

      1. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        King. Fixtures over form.

        1. Over Midwicket
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Isn't it usually the other way around?

          1. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Maybe, but in my opinion form is created by having good fixtures.

      2. Eytexi
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Probably king, especially if no other Bournemouth attack. I've got both 🙂