Why game-changing Arsenal star is a “problem” for Arteta

Arsenal legend Alan Smith claims Nicolas Pepe is a “problem” for Mikel Arteta.

Pepe – who joined Arsenal from Lille for £72million in 2019 – has scored just nine goals in 51 games for Arsenal and is struggling to assert himself under Arteta.

Smith believes his formed club paid “far too much” money for the Ivory Coast international, claiming the lofty price tag is a “problem” for the Gunners boss.

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Smith told 101 Great Goals: “Well Nicolas Pepe is a problem in a way because he cost so much money.

“To a certain extent you’re under a little bit of pressure to play him even if you don’t start him. He has disappointed.

“I was hoping in his second season that he would kick on. Clearly Arsenal paid far too much money for him.

“Willian has been brought in who can play on the right-hand side although he is a much different player, but much more reliable.

“We’ve seen in little glimpses that he [Pepe] can be exciting, he can turn a game.

“However, he’s got to bring more consistency to his game and I just hope that can happen in an Arsenal shirt.”

Smith also believes that Arsenal are “moving in the right direction” under Arteta, who replaced Unai Emery at the helm in December 2019.

“I think it has been positive,” Smith added. “Mikel has obviously come into the club and there has been a lot that needed changing.

“The culture, the attitude of the players, introducing the winning mentality, the toughness and steel, standards in training and on a matchday.

“He’s heading in the right direction, it is not a short fix and obviously some of the results don’t show the progress but as I say he is definitely moving in the right direction.”