Arsenal legend Charlie Nicholas has backed the Gunners to make the push for the top four after a successful summer of transfer business. The north London giants were expected to struggle in the transfer market with the alleged budget of £45m but they made a few shrewd signings with the means of staggered payments to the respective clubs.
Among those, Nicolas Pepe arrived on a club-record fee of £72m from Lille and Nicholas believes the Gunners could finally break into the Champions League places and finish third even, he said: “The Gunners surprised me with the signing of Nicolas Pepe, they will be very exciting going forward after that. I am glad that Laurent Koscielny has been shipped out, Carl Jenkinson has gone so the ones Arsenal don’t need are going. Is David Luiz better than what Arsenal have? Absolutely. On his day he is world-class. On another day he is an absolutely ridiculous defender. Arsenal are not going to challenge for the title. If Luiz comes in I will applaud it and I think they will finish third.”
The defence has been a prime area of concern over the past few years and that is something the club were not able to significantly bolster during the recent transfer window. Nothing, they have pursued an exciting left-back in the form of Kieran Tierney while David Luiz’s purchase from Chelsea should provide them with the much-needed boost at the heart of the defence with his experience.
Arsenal start their league campaign with an away trip to Newcastle United on August 11. The north London giants have struggled on the road over the past couple of seasons and the fans will be hoping that the team can shade those memories ahead of the trip to St James Park. The involvement of Alexandre Lacazette and record signing Pepe may depend on late fitness tests.
