Arsenal fans feel that Mikel Arteta has sent a warning to Nicolas Pepe that he must start performing otherwise he’ll be shipped out.
Pepe has been inconsistent throughout his time at Arsenal, and is yet to really nail down a place in Arteta’s starting line-up.
The Ivorian was selected to start for Arsenal in their last FA Cup match against Newcastle United, but he struggled to have a meaningful impact after the game.
And Arteta told Sky Sports: “We need to help him to (succeed).
“In order to do that he needs minutes, he needs consistency in the team and when he has that, he needs to show he is capable of doing it. Let’s see how the next few months develop.”
Arsenal fans now think that Arteta’s patience with Pepe is starting to wear thing.
And they are worried that if he doesn’t perform in the immediate future then he could well be put up for sale in the summer.
Pepe has scored five goals and claimed three assists in 21 matches for Arsenal this term, which simply isn’t a good enough return for the club’s record signing.
The 25-year-old has shown his ability in flashes throughout his time in England, but has never really performed over a series of games.
Arsenal’s next fixture comes against Crystal Palace on Thursday, when Pepe looks most likely to be a substitute.
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