Arsenal fans on Twitter are calling on Mikel Arteta to recall Nicolas Pepe for this afternoon’s visit to Tottenham Hotspur.
The 25-year-old winger hasn’t started for the Gunners in a Premier League game since a 2-0 win away to Southampton on June 25.
Arteta started Arsenal’s last game with a three-pronged attack of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette and Bukayo Saka.
And it’ll be a bit of a surprise if that isn’t the trident again for Spurs, given how well Arteta’s attacking talents combined in the 1-1 draw against Leicester City – a result that could and should’ve been an emphatic win for the hosts.
Pepe has had a lukewarm first season in North London following a club-record £72 million move from Lille last summer.
But the talent is undeniably there with the Ivory Coast international – who has eight goals across all competitions – and Arsenal fans are desperate to see him back in the first XI against Jose Mourinho’s side this afternoon.
Thing is, who drops out?
It can’t be Aubameyang, who has carried Arsenal this season, and nor can it be Saka, who has a goal and an assist in his past two games.
The logical choice is Lacazette, who missed a couple of gilt-edged chances against the Foxes, and it’ll be interesting to see if Arteta does sacrifice the French hitman for Pepe.
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