Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has told the club’s official website that he was not happy with winger Nicolas Pepe against Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium.
Arteta’s Arsenal got the better of Leeds 2-1 at home in the Premier League on Sunday to enhance their chances of finishing in the top four this season.
Pepe did not start the match, but the 26-year-old winger came on as a substitute midway through the second half.
The Ivory Coast international winger had a good chance late on to make it 3-1.
Pepe picked up a loose ball on the edge of the box following a corner for Leeds and looked set for a clear run towards the opposition’s goal.
However, on the halfway line, Pepe tried to cut back onto his stronger left foot, allowing Daniel James to get a tackle in.
Arsenal coach Albert Stuivenberg was not happy with the decision, as reported by The Mirror, and Arteta has admitted his annoyance as well.
Mikel Arteta on Arsenal winger Nicolas Pepe
Arteta told Arsenal’s official website about Pepe: “When you see that he’s got an empty net in front of him and he’s taking a touch backward, we cannot really understand but you have to have the perception of the player in that moment.
“They are the ones who make the decisions, and fortunately, we didn’t need that goal.”
Disappointing
In our opinion, Pepe’s cameo for Arsenal against Leeds was disappointing.
The winger could not really make a huge impact on the game after he came on, and we can understand why Arteta does not use him regularly from the start.
Pepe has made only five starts in the Premier League this season.
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