By Oyinlola Awonuga (The New Diplomat’s Entertainment, Fashion and Sports Desk)
Mikel Arteta has disclosed that striker Nicolas Pepe must “find his consistency” before winning more starts for Arsenal under his leadership.
Pepe started and scored in Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Irish minnows Dundalk in the Emirates on Thursday night.
However, he has only appeared in a Premier League roster once under Arteta this season, playing just 200 minutes of league football through the six Gunners.
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Arteta has repeatedly offered Pepe public encouragement on his potential at the club, but addressing the media after the Ivorian international’s spotty performance in his Europa League win, he admitted his consistency should improve.
According to him, this would ensure he is given more minutes of play in games.
“He hasn’t been the first pick in every game yet, but he’s played a lot of times,” Arteta said.
He added: “Some have been better than others. It’s about finding consistency, not across games but also during games to be more incisive, and doing the right things over and over again when he has to make the right decision on the pitch.
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“It has nothing to do with his attitude. He’s a risk-taking player, a very creative player – that’s the hardest thing in football, when the opposition knows what you can do, how much they want to prevent space and create situations. from there, it’s complicated.
“But sometimes it’s the simple things, the deliveries, the amount of situations he’s able to create or attract and make the right decision to keep moving that phase of the game. For example, the finish, the position inside the box, it should be more consistent. We are working on it and we hope it will do so much more effectively. “
