‘It’s frustrating’: Emery signing not happy with life under Arsenal boss Arteta

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Arsenal star Nicolas Pepe spoke to Canal Plus about his frustration due to lack of game time under Mikel Arteta.

The Ivorian, signed by Unai Emery for a club-record £72 million (BBC) in the summer of 2019, had a difficult debut campaign. Pepe, nevertheless, was directly involved in 16 goals last season. That includes an assist each in the semi-final and the final of the FA Cup which were both hugely important.

Many felt that this was the season Pepe would thrive in Arsenal’s colours, but the former Lille man isn’t quite getting the minutes he arguably deserves in the Premier League.

Pepe has started just once in the league this term. He has come off the bench regularly and even scored the winner in the game against Sheffield United as a substitute last month. He has started all three Europa League games and has two goals and two assists to his name in the competition which is an impressive record.

Arteta is constantly urged by Arsenal supporters to start Pepe in the Premier League. The Arsenal boss hasn’t quite been convinced yet, and that has frustrated the Ivory Coast international.

Pepe said: “My goal is to play more. Have a little more playing time. A player who plays is happy. For me, I would like to play a little more to find a smile again. He [Arteta] wants me to be 100 per cent focused during the 90 minutes of the match.”

“Afterwards, I see during training that I will be a substitute the following weekend. But the coach speaks to me, he also has assistants who are there for that. But it’s frustrating for any player to be on the bench. The coach makes his choices. It’s up to me to show him that I don’t want that role (of a super-sub).”

Pepe certainly deserves a chance to start in the league. His pace and trickery down the right wing offers us something a lot different to what Willian has brought to the team since he joined us in the summer.

The terrible defeat to Aston Villa should force Arteta to change things. Pepe has to start against Leeds after the break, but considering that he is away on international duty while Willian is not, he might have to settle for a spot on the bench yet again.