Mikel Arteta reveals that Nicolas Pepe ‘hurts and suffers’ after a bad run of form … but the Arsenal manager insists he would ‘always protect his players’ despite going eight games without a win at home
- Nicolas Pepe signs Arsenal’s £ 72m club record, signed from Lille in 2019
- But the winger has been struggling for form since joining the club last year
- Pepe failed to win from the bench in Tuesday ‘s loss to Man City
- But Gunners boss Mikel Arteta defended his player and said he was ‘trying so hard’
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta maintains that Nicolas Pepe ‘is injured and suffering after a bad run of personal form while the Gunners’ unbeaten climb continues.
Arteta’s side were knocked out of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night as Manchester City had the upper hand in a 4-1 victory over the Emirates.
Without the Europa League, the Gunners have now gone eight games without a win and Pepe is also signing records struggling to find his best form – but Arteta revealed that the Ivory Coast player well aware of the quality of his performances.
Nicolas Pepe has been fighting for form and Mikel Arteta maintains that it ‘hurts and struggles’
Arteta was once again a sad spectator when the Gunners were released from the Carabao Cup
‘I would always protect my players,’ Arteta said.
‘Whatever I have to discuss with him, he will be in. Pepe wants to do his best and help as much as he can.
‘This is what I’m interested in. It ‘s my job and if it doesn’t, it’s my fault. He tries so well. We all know Nico and sometimes his body language makes him feel bad. ‘
Pepe was heavily criticized for a header that led to a red card in a goalless draw at Leeds on November 22 and failed to deliver since returning from a three-game ban.
Although he received the equalizer penalty in Saturday’s loss at Everton, the £ 72m man – who was signed from Lille last year – has been heavily criticized in some quarters for his lack of creativity in the second half. he was also impressed coming on as a substitute in Tuesday ‘s loss to City.
Pepe was sent off for a useless header in the draw against Leeds United on 22 November
‘He’s hurt, he’s suffering – believe me, I’m close – and he’s trying his best,’ said Arteta.
‘He feels the burden because he knows why the club brought him here and he wants to deliver that.’
Arteta desperately needs a result, with his 15th side in the table just four points above the relegation zone, and they will host London rivals Chelsea on Boxing Day.
The Ivory Coast player received a penalty kick on Saturday but was still struggling from open play
‘We have to turn it around, there’s no question,’ the Arsenal boss admitted after the loss to City.
‘If we don’t, we’re in big trouble, so that (the next run of games) is the time to decide our season.
‘I focus on the fights we have (in the squad), the spirit that we showed tonight again going against a tough opponent and the way we tried. From what we showed tonight, my team has fighters. ‘
