Arsenal smashed their transfer record this summer to sign Nicolas Pepe from Lille and bet365 are offering 4/1 (5.0) that he scores 15 or more Premier League goals this season.
The Ivorian forward struck 22 times in Ligue 1 last term, helping Christophe Galtier’s men to a second-place finish in the French top flight – the club’s highest position since 2011.
That prompted a bidding war for Pepe, with the Gunners beating Napoli to his signature after having a £72 million (€79m) fee accepted by Lille, and the Arsenal faithful will be hoping he hits the ground running.
As well as the 4/1 (5.0) on Pepe scoring 15 or more times next season, bet365 also offer 2/1 (3.0) on him netting between 12 to 14 goals inclusive as he did in 2017-18 when his 13 goals were crucial in keeping Lille in Ligue 1.
They also quote 2/1 (3.0) that the 24-year-old scores between nine and 11 times, a quote that may attract some interest given that he is unlikely to be the main scoring threat behind Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
That pair scored 35 of Arsenal’s 73 league goals last season as the Gunners missed out on Champions League football by a single point, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan their third-top scorer on six.
bet365 offer 9/2 (5.50) on him scoring six to eight goals, which – barring injury - would certainly be a subpar return and not go very far in justifying his hefty transfer fee.
ISSOUF SANOGO/AFP/Getty Images
Five goals or fewer is priced at 12/1 (13.0) for punters who believe he may struggle to adapt to the Premier League and end the campaign with a disappointing haul.
Pepe is set to start Arsenal’s first game of the season away at Newcastle and bet365 also go 2/1 (3.0) that he both scores on his debut against Steve Bruce’s men and opens it too.
The Gunners have an excellent recent record against the Magpies, winning 12 of the last 13 meetings between these sides, and Pepe will certainly fancy his chances of endearing himself to Arsenal fans with a debut goal.
Odds correct at the time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.
Check out the latest football odds at bet365
