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The Ivorian star missed the Gunners’ defeat at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday due to a red card he received against Leeds United two weeks ago.
Former Arsenal defender Nigel Winterburn believes Nicolas Pepe is struggling in England, but the club’s record signing can still improve and be more consistent with his performances.
The 25-year-old continued his punishment on Sunday after he was shown a direct red card for head-butting Leeds United’s Ezgjan Alioski on November 22, rendering him unavailable for the North London derby.
Mikel Arteta’s team fell in a 2-0 loss at Tottenham Hotspur with the Gunners struggling to find the back of the net despite having more possession and more shots on goal.
Pepe has only returned one goal in eight Premier League games this season but it is a different case in the Uefa Europa League where he has contributed three goals and two assists in five outings.
Winterburn, who played as a left-back during his career at Arsenal, says the former Lille talisman isn’t wreaking havoc on opposing defenses often enough.
“With Nicolás Pepe, we’ve seen glimpses of what he can do, and I’d like to see more consistently. When you’re in those broad areas, you need to deliver goals and opportunities, and he does it,” Winterburn was quoted by TalkSport.
“For me, right now, Pepe is struggling to adapt. He is a player who has wonderful ball skills and to beat the players, I would like to see him more consistently for Arsenal.
“Being a winger myself, the only thing you didn’t want in the opposition is an open player who will ask you questions for 90 minutes. I don’t think Pepe is asking enough questions, defensively, from the wingers and wingers he faces. He’s playing too safe and he’s too static. “
Against Tottenham on Sunday, Willian was selected on the right flank in Pepe’s absence, but the former Premier League winner believes the Ivory Coast international can do more to fight for a starting spot in Arteta’s squad.
“Certainly there is talent there, but it depends on both the player and the team to get that out of Nicolás Pepe,” he continued.
“We also brought Willian to the team and we know he can play in many positions, but he usually plays on the right side. So, Pepe may feel that he has already been kicked out a bit from the team.
“I look at the players in my head and try to figure out what they are thinking. Pepe came in with a good reputation, but he was struggling to live up to it.
“Then suddenly, Willian got his job and now he can’t have much playing time, it can’t be easy for him in that regard. However, Pepe needs to deliver more, is the simple answer ”.
Pepe is expected to continue his winning streak in the Europa League when Arsenal visit Dundalk for their final group match on Thursday.
