Mikel Arteta has revealed that he is putting pressure on under-fire Arsenal attacker Nicolas Pepe in the belief that he can ‘do better’ but rubbished suggestions that his career in North London is at risk.
Pepe has incurred the wrath of Arteta and quite a lot of Gunners fans for being sent off in the 0-0 draw at Leeds United last weekend.
The Ivory Coast international, a £75 million signing by Arsenal in 2019, nudged his head into Ezgjan Alioski during an off-the-ball incident.
The 25-year-old had started just the one Premier League game this season prior to Elland Road and that certainly wasn’t a positive way in which to vindicate Arteta over bringing him back.
But Pepe will get another chance to impress in the visit to Molde in Europa League action tonight.
And although Arteta is adamant that his Arsenal career isn’t in jeopardy, he does want more from the former Lille winger.
He told the club’s official website: “You see the way he strives for the team, the way he’s working, it’s been the best since he’s been at the club. But there have been some aspects he can do better in because he has the ability.
“That’s where I’m going to put the pressure on him to deliver what he can do. To say it’s a threat for him to finish his [Arsenal] career… it’s not at all like that.”
Pepe absolutely can and must play better if he’s ever going to justify the transfer fee – a club record – that was spent on him.
Three goals and two assists from 13 appearances across all competitions this season isn’t acceptable.
Question is, how is Arteta going to get the best out of him?
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