Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta has told BT Sport that he plans to work on Nicolas Pepe’s game.
Arteta has raved about Pepe and believes that the 25-year-old winger has “incredible potential”.
However, the Arsenal boss has admitted that the Ivory Coast international does have to be involved more in games, and he has made it clear that he will work with him on that.
Arteta has added that he wants the former Lille star to be more decisive in matches.
The Arsenal head coach told BT Sport about Pepe: “I don’t know him from before, but he is very willing and he is a player with incredible potential.
“However, he needs to take care of moments in the game when he disconnects himself a little bit. He cannot do that, and I will be very persistent with him to try to change that.
“He also needs to be decisive in every game because if he is at his best he is a player who can make the difference. There are things to work on and improve but he is heading in the right direction.”
Stats
So far this season, Pepe has made 19 starts and seven substitute appearances in the Premier League, scoring five goals and providing six assists in the process, according to WhoScored.
The winger has also scored two goals and provided two assists in six Europa League games for the Gunners this campaign, according to WhoScored.
Stepping up
Pepe is a good winger who has played well on occasions this season, but it is clear that he needs to be more consistent.
The 25-year-old is creative, can dribble and play some brilliant passes, but he needs to step up his game and make himself indispensable to head coach Arteta.
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