While Arsenal still make mistakes in the transfer market, they have become far savvier than they were five or six years ago.
There is a rather long list of poor signings by the club in the years before Mikel Arteta arrived, with perhaps the worst being Nicolas Pepe.
The Ivorian international arrived at the club for a whopping £72m and to plenty of fanfare, but quietly left a few years later, widely regarded as a disappointment.
Nicolas-Pepe-Arsenal (2)
Unfortunately, if reports are to be believed, it appears Arsenal could make a similar doomed signing this year.
Arsenal target their next Pepe
When Pepe arrived at Arsenal, he did so off the back of an incredible campaign with LOSC Lille, in which he scored 23 goals and provided 12 assists in 41 games, so the expectation for him was sky-high.
Unfortunately, while the Ivorian international wasn't a complete flop, unable to contribute, he was undeniably underwhelming.
Following three lacklustre seasons, the 30-year-old then went out on two loan spells before having his contract terminated by mutual consent.
Nicolas Pepe's record at Arsenal (timeless)
There is no way to describe Pepe's time in North London as anything other than disappointing, and so it's worrying to see the club target someone who feels like he could be another version of the winger.
At least that is according to a recent report from one club insider, who claims Arsenal are interested in Anthony Gordon.
Newcastle's Anthony Gordon-1
The report has revealed that the Gunners are "targeting a move" for the Newcastle United player ahead of the summer market.
Given he still has over four years remaining on his £150k-per-week contract and is an England international, he is unlikely to come cheap, with reports during the last transfer window valuing him as highly as £80m.
With that in mind and considering his lacklustre form over the last year or so, this feels like a transfer Arsenal should stay far away from - he could be another Pepe.
Why Gordon would be Arsenal's next Pepe
There is certainly a world in which this transfer could come off brilliantly, and Gordon ends up becoming the winger Arsenal have needed for years.
Gordon
However, the same could have been said about Pepe prior to his move, and unfortunately, it feels like the Englishman is far more likely to follow the path he took.
For example, few will deny that the Newcastle ace is a talented player.
After all, he's won 16 caps for England, made 133 appearances for the Toon and in the 23/24 season looked unstoppable, scoring 12 goals and providing 16 assists in 48 games.
However, therein lies the most significant problem and concern with the Gunners paying a sizable fee for him: that incredible form came two years ago.
Anthony Gordon for Newcastle
Since then, the Liverpool-born wideman has had moments of brilliance, but largely looked like an average winger at best.
For example, his tally of six goals and six assists in 33 league appearances last season is no better than Gabriel Martinelli's haul of eight goals and four assists in as many games.
Moreover, the Englishman's output has only decreased this term, as in 16 league games, he has scored two goals and one assist.
In contrast, Leandro Trossard, someone he'd be competing with at the Emirates, already has five goals and four assists in just one more appearance.
Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon
Finally, in addition to his raw output being way down, his underlying numbers are abysmal.
According to FBref, he currently ranks in just the top 25% of attacking midfielders or wingers in Europe's top five leagues for successful take-ons, the top 43% for progressive passes, the bottom 49% for non-penalty expected goals, the bottom 42% for shots on target and more, all per 90.
Gordon's Scout Report
Statistics
Successful Take-Ons
Progressive Passes
Touches (Att Pen)
Non-Penalty xG
Shots Total
xAG: Exp. Assisted Goals
Passes Attempted
Tackles
Assists
Pass Completion %
Blocks
Aerials Won
Clearances
Shot-Creating Actions
Non-Penalty Goals
All Stats via FBref
Ultimately, while Gordon may one day get back to his best, Arsenal should be going nowhere near him anytime soon, as he would surely be another Pepe.
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