Rewind to November 29, 2019 and Emery was being relieved of his duties by Arsenal “due to results and performances not being at the level required”. He had just presided over a seven-game winless streak – the club’s worst run of results since 1992 and looked a defeated man.
Having previously spent time at Villa Park, Abraham, 26, could now return to his old stomping ground more than five years after he left Chelsea on loan.
However, out with a long-term injury after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in June, the English striker is not expected to return to action until the Spring of next year.
And although it remains unclear if Villa will pursue a deal in the January transfer window, or if they’ll wait until the summer, it seems Unai Emery has not been put off by the forward’s current injury woes.
Valued at around £35 million (TM) and with less than three years left on his contract, Roma’s number nine could be a shrewd option for any manager looking to bolster their attacking options.
During his time in Italy, Abraham, who has represented England on 11 occasions, has scored 36 goals and provided 12 assists in 107 games in all competitions.
Personally I believe he would be a great signing an out and out CF exactly what we need, also a fans favourite which is half the battle.
Sure he’s currently injured but definitely with a punt in January and available for the right price , for me get him signed up
Then there was the flop of Nicolas Pepe. Signed for a club-record £72million in the summer of 2019, the Ivory Coast international did not bring the “pace, power and creativity… [and] more goals,” that Emery hoped he would. In 16 games under Emery, Pepe provided three goals and four assists, but wasn’t the transformative signing his manager hoped he would be.
“I am clear about my diagnosis and we did good things there. I think we had a good first year, taking two competitions well as Europa League and Premier League,” Emery told Marca a few months after being sacked. “The process was good. When we played possession, we did it; when we had to press, we did it. And we were competitive, playing as the game required. With moments of possession game and moments of three quick touches.
“This second year, we have not played well. We have not defended well. We have not been competitive, we did not transmit – and I told the players myself. There were several problems: four captains; the Ozil-Kolasinac case; Pepe’s signing, who needs time since he came from France. We didn’t play well, that’s for sure.”
Pepe is now plying his trade in Turkey, having been sold to Trabzonspor at a knock-down price over the summer. Overall, he contributed 27 goals and 21 assists in 112 appearances for Arsenal, who also sent him out on loan to Nice last season.v
