Gabby Agbonlahor says Antony is a flop like Nicolas Pepe. Gabriel Agbonlahor, a former center-forward for Aston Villa, criticized Manchester United winger Antony and linked him to Nicolas Pepe, an unsuccessful player for Arsenal. The Brazilian international’s career has been inconsistent since he paid £85 million to leave Ajax last summer. In 17 games across competitions for his new squad, he has scored just five goals and notched zero assists.
It is now widely acknowledged that Arsenal’s £72 million agreement to acquire Pepe from LOSC Lille Metropole in the summer of 2019 was a poor commercial decision. In 112 appearances throughout competitions for the Gunners in his first three years, he only managed 27 goals and 21 assists.
After being permitted to join OGC Nice on a season-long loan last summer, it was clear that he wasn’t part of manager Mikel Arteta’s immediate plans. Agbonlahor has since remarked that Antony from Manchester United gives him the same impression.
In the 70th minute of his team’s January 18, 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace, the Brazilian winger was substituted for by Alejandro Garnacho. Although Antony was upset at being removed from the game, he seldom had any beneficial effects.
Regarding the predicament of the former Ajax winger, Agbonlahor stated to talkSPORT: “When he has pulled away, Antony wasn’t pleased, but he isn’t helping enough. He reminds me of Pepe from Arsenal. Performs trickery but fails to truly defeat the player.”
He further added: “For me, they need Jadon Sancho back and to start Garnacho against Arsenal. They need more choices on the wings; Antony isn’t providing them with any right now; perhaps with time, he will, but not right now.”
On January 22, Manchester United will meet Arsenal in the Premier League despite having played one more game than the Gunners and being eight points behind them.
Although the stakes in this game would have been higher with a victory against the Eagles, it is still a crucial match for both teams. Jadon Sancho has resumed first-team practice, which will be welcome news to Manchester United supporters, according to the Athletic. On January 17, he finally made it back to the field. Although he missed the match against Crystal Palace, fans will be hoping he plays at the Emirates.
The last time Sancho appeared for the Red Devils was in a 1-1 tie with Chelsea on October 22. Shortly after, he was placed on an individual training regimen. Erik ten Hag, the manager, will be hoping that his choice to let Sancho train apart from the team despite his subpar form was justified. In his ten league outings this season, he has scored just two goals.
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