‘A real threat’: Mikel Arteta delighted with Arsenal’s Nicolas Pepe after Molde win

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Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, was delighted with the performance of Nicolas Pepe last night as the winger finished a bad week in a positive manner.

Pepe was under pressure after being shown red at Leeds on Sunday but was thrust straight back into the starting XI by Arteta for the trip to Molde in the Europa League.

Pepe put in a superb performance to catch the eye as he curled in a delightful goal to given the Gunners boss plenty to think about.

And Arteta, who was speaking after the game to the club’s official website, believes it was a sign of just how good the Ivorian can be.

“I am really pleased. After the disappointment of something negative, you want to see a reaction and I could see from the first minute with his body language that he was ready to act.

“Today is the example of the level he needs to hit, and he needs to keep doing it because he is capable of it and you can see that every time he gets in those positions win the final third, he is a real threat and a very difficult player to control because he can go with his feet, he can come inside, he can shoot, he can create crosses and he can go in behind you as well. That is what we can expect from him.”

Pepe, who earns a reported £105k-a-week with Arsenal after signing for over £70m, has struggled to cement himself as a regular ever since arriving from Lille.

However, he will be hoping this performance can be a springboard for him as he looks to repay Arteta’s faith in him over the season.

A fine individual display that Arsenal need more of – TBR View

Granted, the opposition weren’t fanastic but Pepe looked like he was going to score or create every time he ventured forward.

His performance will have really pleased the Gunners boss and if he wasn’t suspended, there’s a chance he’d be given another chance this coming weekend.

However, it’s a good performance to have in the locker for Pepe and if he can keep delivering, then Arsenal might just some success afterall.