Mikel Arteta defends Nicolas Pepe and insists Arsenal signing ‘needs help to succeed’ with Gunners boss ready to offer £ 72m more minutes after a rocky start to the club’s life
- Mikel Arteta is desperate to help Nicolas Pepe succeed at Arsenal after a rocky start
- Pepe has failed to live up to its £ 72million price tag since joining in 2019
- His latest performance against Newcastle drew criticism from Ian Wright
- However, Arteta maintains that the Ivory Coast star needs more time to develop
Mikel Arteta is keen to help Nicolas Pepe succeed at Arsenal and has explained what the club ‘s signing of the club needs to do in the coming months.
The striker came together in the summer of 2019 from Lille for a fee of £ 72million and although he has achieved quality moments, a lack of consistency has affected his time at the Emirates.
After Pepe scored eight goals during his debating campaign, it was hoped that the Ivory Coast international would start but he has struggled in the Premier League this season and has been recently retired at Leeds.
Mikel Arteta is keen to help Nicolas Pepe (pictured) to succeed at Arsenal after a rocky start
‘We need to help him to (succeed),’ Arteta said. ‘To do that he needs minutes, he needs consistency in the team and when he has that, he needs to show that he can do it.
‘We’ll see how the months go by.’
Pepe has found the net three times in the Europa League this term but made just four league starts and cut a difficult figure when Arsenal won 2-0 over Newcastle in the FA Cup before being relegated. pull back with aimless link.
Arsenal boss insists the £ 72million winger will need more time if he is to be successful at the club
The 25-year-old has been an unbeaten substitute in the Gunners’ last two major flight wins and a visit to Crystal Palace on Thursday with teammate Wilfried Zaha ready to lead the line for the Eagles.
Arsenal in particular decided to sign Pepe over Zaha when Unai Emery was in charge, but Arteta’s current manager has called for patience.
He said: ‘I think it’s hard to judge some players who haven’t played many minutes over the last two or three weeks and throw them in and expect them to be the best player on the pitch.
‘I don’t think it will happen and Nico tried. He tried the whole game and had some really good times – times where he could have scored two or three goals.
Gunners legend Ian Wright was less pleased with Pepe ‘s performance against Newcastle
Wright struck out at Pepe (left) and Willian (right), describing their efforts as ‘very, very poor’
‘Under normal circumstances and with his ability in those positions, he puts the ball in the back of the net. He didn’t but I think his contribution was good. ‘
Pepe ‘s performance at the weekend drew criticism from club legend Ian Wright, who shook both Pepe and Willian for’ very, very bad ‘FA Cup performances.
‘Very, very poor from [Pepe] today, ‘Wright told BBC Sport. ‘Equivalent to Willian. These are two players we needed a lot, and we just don’t get it, to be honest. ‘
