After a strong start, versatile Pepe can be derby match-winner

Nicolas Pepe’s initial performances for Arsenal suggest he will prove worth their £72 million outlay. The Ivory Coast forward, who scored 22 goals and provided 11 assists for Lille in Ligue 1 last season, already appears to terrify Premier League defenders when on the ball.

Although a goalscorer, Pepe (right) played mostly on the right of midfield in a 4-4-2 last season and this is something Unai Emery may look to utilise.

Arsenal used a 4-2-3-1 in wins over Newcastle and Burnley, with Pepe coming off the bench in both to play on the right wing, dribbling past defenders with astonishing ease and pulling opponents out of position.

Against Liverpool, Pepe started as one of two central forwards expected to occupy wide space and make the full-backs think twice about bursting forward. Andrew Robertson did not fall for the trap and spent most of the game in Arsenal’s half but this left Pepe one v one with Virgil van Dijk, a battle Jurgen Klopp would hope his dominant centre-back should win.

However, Pepe’s turn of pace and dribbling had Van Dijk visibly concerned, with the defender standing a few yards off him. One of Pepe’s initial involvements was to control a pass and skin Van Dijk before bursting down the wing – the first time anyone has dribbled beyond the defender in 50 matches.

Pepe’s ability to play on the right of midfield gives Emery real tactical flexibility and as a manager prone to adapting his shape and game plan in real time, this provides options. There is every chance Arsenal will deploy

all three of their star attackers against Spurs tomorrow, with Pepe right of Pierre-emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette. Although a front three in attack, in certain phases of play Pepe can drop into midfield as Aubameyang and Lacazette defend the first line of press as a two.

This would force Spurs to pass wide from the back, which triggers Arsenal’s midfield to close the opposition winger and force play inside, where a turnover could allow the trio to spring a counterattack.

Danny Rose will think twice before running beyond Pepe, limiting Spurs’ width, and with Moussa Sissoko likely to deputise for Kyle Walkerpeters at right-back, Mauricio Pochettino lacks a ball-winner to support his left-back in midfield.

One player can make all the difference and in Pepe, Arsenal have a gamechanger.