Mikel Arteta believes Nicolas Pepe has progressed a lot this season.
After another underwhelming season in an Arsenal shirt, Pepe did put on a fine outing against Crystal Palace.
He scored twice to help his side win 3-1 at Selhurst Park, both quality strikes. Pepe has dropped in and out of the starting line up for The Gunners all season. While he has not matched up to the player fans thought they were getting, the 25-year-old has produced some moments of real joy.
Arteta told Arsenal.com, “It’s my feeling and it’s everybody’s feeling in the coaching staff, and his own feeling that he’s come a long way this season.”
“He hasn’t had the consistency sometimes in the gametime, but I think in Europe he’s been terrific and in the Premier League he’s started to show much more what he’s like, and he’s very hungry.”
“I think he’s changed a lot in his mentality and his willingness to do much more.”
Pepe has 19 goal contributions this season, in 46 appearances. For a player who cost £72m, that might not be enough. It still remains to be seen where his future lies. This summer, we are about to see swiping changes across the squad at Arsenal. Plenty of names are tipped to head for the exit doors.
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