Mikel Arteta Demands More From £72m Signing Nicolas Pepe

Mikel Arteta wants more conviction out of Nicolas Pepe.

Arsenal won 4-1 over Molde on Thursday night but the Ivorian was less than convincing once again.

Going by the scoring charts, Pepe might have done well with a goal and an assist on the night. However, the 25-year-old was mostly wasteful with possession and unable to get a grip on the game.

That could possibly be the reason why he has made just one start in the Premier League this season. Mikel Arteta has demanded more from him, going into this weekend fixture against Aston Villa.

“Consistency throughout the game, throughout 90 minutes, in every game, in the final third, the final product has to be better not just from him,” the Gunners boss told a news conference.

“We have to put higher demands at the moment. He scored a great goal and another assist and he can do more so he’s on the right path.

“In general consistency wise in the final third we have to finish more things better and we can improve a lot. That goes to every single player.

“Nico scored three goals and he could score 10. Willy [Joe Willock] the same, three assists, he needs 10. If we don’t have that mindset we can’t become the team we want to be.”