How Pepe's £72m Arsenal arrival could affect Ozil, Nelson & Mkhitaryan

The Gunners will smash their transfer record to sign the Ivorian from Lille and the transfer is set to have a huge knock-on effect at the Emirates.

Not since the purchase of Mesut Ozil in 2013 has a signing generated as much excitement at Arsenal as the arrival of Nicolas Pepe.

The Ivory Coast international has spent the past 24 hours in north London undergoing his medical and finalising his club record £72 million ($87m) move from Lille.

It’s a fee that smashes Arsenal’s previous transfer record, which had been set by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s £56m ($68m) switch from Borussia Dortmund in 2018.

And it’s a deal that gives Arsenal a front three that is the envy of most clubs in world football.

Aubameyang ended last season with 31 goals in all competitions, while strike partner Alexandre Lacazette was named player of the season having scored 19 goals and provided 10 assists in 49 appearances.

Add the electric Pepe into the mix and Unai Emery will be able to field a frontline that will strike fear into almost every team Arsenal come up against in the coming season.

Playing predominantly on the right side of the attack, Pepe scored 22 goals for Lille during the 2018-19 campaign while also setting up a further 11 for his team-mates.

“He is incredible,” said former Southampton defender Jose Fonte, who has spent the last year playing with Pepe at Lille. “He is super quick, he has a left foot which is silky, one vs one he is second to none. He finishes really well, he takes penalties, he takes free-kicks.

“He is a very, very accomplished player and I think Arsenal fans will be in for a treat, for sure. I’ve played with a lot of players and this kid is special. There’s no doubt about it, he’s special.

“He can get to a very, very high level and can be one of the best in the world, 100 per cent, I’m confident he has everything in place to get there."