da fezbet： This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…
da luck： Crystal Palace make the short trip across London this Sunday to take on Arsenal in a derby affair at the Emirates.
Interestingly, the Eagles sit just one point behind the Gunners going into this game.
Roy Hodgson’s men have been in good form so far this term, winning four and drawing two of their nine games – the south Londoners have also only lost once in five home games, which came against champions Manchester City.
Unai Emery’s side suffered an embarrassing 1-0 loss to Sheffield United last time out in the league, so they will be hoping to get back on track – one man will be crucial to helping them do that.
Who is it?
Nicolas Pepe.
The Ivory Coast international has struggled since his £72m move from Lille back in the summer.
An international teammate of Wilfried Zaha, Pepe has scored just one league goal – coming from the penalty spot against Aston Villa – while he missed a sitter in the aforementioned 1-0 loss to Sheffield United.
The 24-year-old has been mocked by Tottenham fans on Twitter for his underwhelming start, but he is still a tricky player to deal with and it does feel as if a goal from open play is imminent.
Pepe averages an impressive 3.3 dribbles per game in the Premier League, as well as 2.7 shots per game – he scored 22 Ligue 1 goals last season, so there is clearly a player in there.
Who must keep tabs on him?
Eagles left-back Patrick van Aanholt looks likely to be tasked with stopping Pepe, seeing as the Ivorian has lined up on the right flank five times this term.
The Dutchman is somewhat suspect from a defensive aspect – a sentiment echoed by his former coaches Sam Allardyce and Gus Poyet – and his stats provide cause for concern.
Van Aanholt has scored twice in nine league games this season, but averages just 1.1 tackles per game and 1.7 interceptions per game – when you see that his teammate at right-back Joel Ward averages 2.6 tackles and 2.1 interceptions, you could argue that the former Sunderland man isn’t pulling his weight defensively.
Quite simply, Palace’s No.3 has to keep his wits about him when coming up against Pepe. Get caught too far up the pitch or out of position and the former Ligue 1 star may use this as his breakout performance.