How Arsenal could line up against Barcelona with Pepe to earn debut and Emery’s plans for defence to come clear
ARSENAL fans are hoping to see their club-record signing Nicolas Pepe in action when the Gunners take on Barcelona in the Joan Gamper Trophy on Sunday.
The Ivorian completed his £72million move from Lille yesterday, snubbing the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United and Napoli.
Arsenal beat Angers – Pepe’s former club – on Wednesday in a penalty shoot-out after a hard-fought 1-1 draw.
Academy stars were given a last chance to shine this pre-season, with Reiss Nelson grabbing the vital equaliser.
And the friendly clash in Barcelona will conclude Unai Emery’s preparations ahead of the Premier League opener against Newcastle.
The Spaniard is expected to field a much more experienced line-up against the Catalans.
And Gunners fans are dreaming Pepe will be off to a strong start to his Arsenal career at the Nou Camp.
As Alexandre Lacazette is out with an ankle injury, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is likely to take his spot in the centre-forward position.
Nelson and Pepe could then pose a threat from the wings, hoping to inflict maximum damage on the break.
Arsenal wonderkid Joe Willock is set to partner Matteo Guendouzi in the midfield, behind Mesut Ozil who will be providing the creating spark.
The German maestro, as well as hardman Sead Kolasinac, should travel to Barcelona having shrugged off last week’s carjacking scare.
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While Sokratis Papastathopoulos, Callum Chambers and Ainsley Maitland-Niles will most likely complete the back four in its last test before the Newcastle clash.
Alternatively, Emery could deploy new boy Gabriel Martinelli again after the Brazilian winger impressed in pre-season games this summer.
And Henrikh Mkhitaryan might step in if the Barcelona friendly comes too early for Pepe to make his debut.