Arsenal fans react as Nicolas Pepe admits he is frustrated under Mikel Arteta

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Nicolas Pepe has admitted he has grown frustrated under Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta after a lack of consistent game time in the Premier League – and Gunners fans have hammered the Spaniard for his treatment of Pepe.

Pepe, 25, has been in and out of the Arsenal side this season – managing just 12 appearances in all competitions. He has scored three goals, but has managed to start just one of his seven Premier League matches for the Gunners.

It is a stark contrast to last season in which Pepe managed to start 29 times – having a hand in 18 goals during the 2019-20 campaign. Speaking to Canal+ – as per the Mirror – Pepe underlined his frustration.

”My goal is to play more,” Pepe said. “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.

“I see during training that I will be a substitute the next weekend. The coach speaks to me. It is 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  have that role.”