Martin Keown told BT Sport during their live coverage of Arsenal’s defeat to Wolves that Nicolas Pepe is finally ‘producing’ the goods.
Even though Arsenal were left annoyed with their defeat on Tuesday, Pepe was on the scoresheet once again.
Initially, when the 25-year-old arrived in North London, the 2019 Unai Emery signing struggled to showcase his true worth.
But Keown shared that this season the left-footed winger is wanting it more and Mikel Arteta now has some healthy options to choose from out wide.
“That will do him the world of good,” said Keown. “It justifies his selection.
“Well, I think that’s what it’s about the player [wanting it more]. He came here with a big massive price tag on his head and now he is producing.
“It takes an awful lot of time for players to settle into the Premier League. This season, you expect more. It’s been a slow-burner certainly.
“But now we are seeing a little bit of form. Aubameyang can play on that left-hand side, so can Martinelli. He’s coming back from injury. There are some good options now for Arteta.”
Pepe’s goal on Tuesday was overshadowed by the controversy that involved David Luiz and his sending-off.
But it still doesn’t take away from the fact that he danced past two players inside Wolves’ penalty area and buried the ball into the back of the net with his weaker foot.
It’s what Arsenal paid the big bucks for and it’s what they hope he will produce when they visit Aston Villa at the weekend.
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