Mikel Arteta says Nicolas Pepe is not in a unique situation with the winger’s lack of game time during Arsenal’s recent games, speaking during his press conference (16/12, 10:28).
Pepe has not started a Premier League match since the Gunners drew with Crystal Palace on October 18. The Emirates Stadium affair marked his fifth start in eight fixtures this term, but he has only managed a total of 12-minutes over the north Londoners’ last nine games.
Arteta introduced Pepe from the bench late in on Arsenal’s wins over Leicester on October 30 and Southampton last Saturday. Bar those two matches, he has remained a bystander.
Arteta has also shown a preference of late to introduce summer free agent Eddie Nketiah over the Gunners’ record signing. The Spaniard had omitted Nketiah from his first 10 top-flight squad lists this term, yet has given the 22-year-old minutes in three of their last four.
Arteta explains why Pepe is no playing regularly
Arsenal travel to Leeds United on Saturday, but it is unlikely that Arteta will recall Pepe to his starting line-up.
The Gunners boss has explained that the £72m ace is in the same boat as his other fringe players in that they need game time, but those ahead are doing enough to keep them out.
“It’s [the same] with all the players that they are not having a lot of minutes,” Arteta said. “With the amount of games we’re having, there’s not enough room. With Nico’s situation, it’s something similar.
“He needs more opportunities to show what he can do and in the last few games, he hasn’t had them. I understand [there will be a focus on him as the club’s record signing]. But again I have to try to make the decision based on what I see every single day [in training].
“And to be fair, Nico is really willing and really willing to help the team. The reality is that in the position that he’s playing, Bukayo [Saka] is playing regularly there and he’s been fantastic. So, it’s not been easy for him to find that [playing] time.”
Should Pepe return to the Arsenal line-up at Leeds?
Pepe will struggle to oust Saka to play on Arsenal’s right-wing, with the 20-year-old thriving under Arteta right now. He may have only scored twice and assisted four goals this season, but offered his most recent assists in the Gunners’ wins over Southampton and West Ham.
The England dynamo also delivered an outstanding general performance against the Irons in midweek. His efforts also drew praise from West Ham supporters and John Terry, having looked dangerous whenever on the ball.
Pepe will also struggle to earn minutes on the left, with Gabriel Martinelli currently keeping Emile Smith Rowe out. The Brazilian is enjoying his best moments in an Arsenal shirt for a while, offering energy, pressing, assists and goals.
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