Arsenal have had a great start in the Champions League this season.
The Gunners are the only English side in the competition to win each of their first two games, and they haven’t conceded a single goal yet.
The likes of Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard and Bukayo Saka have been the stars for Arsenal so far, but they aren’t the only ones who are shining in the Champions League.
One player Mikel Arteta released from his squad at the Emirates is flying as well.
Gabriel Martinelli snubbed but Nicolas Pepe named in the Champions League Team of the Week
Nicolas Pepe is Arsenal’s second-most expensive signing in history.
The Ivory Coast international joined the Gunners in 2019, and he wasn’t awful by any means. But he didn’t live up to his huge price tag.
Arteta decided that there was no place for Pepe in his side and terminated his contract. He joined Trabzonspor on a free transfer in 2023.
After an underwhelming spell there, Pepe signed for Villarreal, and the winger has been very impressive for the Yellow Submarine.
In the Champions League this week, the winger started for Villarreal against Juventus, and he was the best player on the pitch.
The former Arsenal man didn’t score, but he picked up an assist in the 2-2 draw and was a constant threat from start to finish.
Gabriel Martinelli scored for Arsenal, but he didn’t make the Champions League Team of the Week after matchday 2.
Pepe did, alongside Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe and Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard!
Nicolas Pepe is being used in a different position at Villarreal
Pepe is naturally a right-winger, and he was also deployed on the opposite flank at Arsenal.
The Ivorian possesses incredible speed and magnificent dribbling, and his reliance on his left foot makes him more suited to a role on the right.
However, at Villarreal, five of Pepe’s six La Liga appearances this season have come in a central role.
Those performances even earned him the La Liga Player of the Month award in August, and he really seems to be finding his feet there.
One can only wonder if Arteta could’ve used him as a striker when Arsenal were struggling in that department a few years ago.
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