‘I don’t know what it is’: Arteta says one Arsenal player is suddenly like a new signing in training

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Arsenal are preparing to face Brentford in the Premier League today and Gunners fans could be about to get another glimpse of what Nicolas Pepe can do.

With Gabriel Martinelli out through suspension, there is a place in the XI available for someone to snap up. Of course, Emile Smith Rowe will fancy his chances as well, but Pepe is an option down the wing for Mikel Arteta.

Pepe, 26, hasn’t featured for the Gunners since Boxing Day. Even that day, he only played for 12 minutes. And despite finishing last season well, the Ivorian has only made five appearances all season.

However, that could be about to change after Arteta told the Evening Standard that since returning from the AFCON, Pepe has been like a new signing for the Gunners.

“Since he has come back from AFCON I think I have seen a different Nico as well. I don’t know what it is, probably he has realised the importance of the end of the season for him. He had a brilliant end of the season last year. He can replicate that,” Arteta said.

“His attitude, his smile, the way he is communicating with everybody, his energy. The way he has trained. His efficiency in training, his application. His energy has changed. I don’t know what it is. I think he felt important again.”

TBR’s View: Big Few Years Ahead For Pepe And Arsenal

The £70m+ fee will always linger over Nicolas Pepe’s head in an Arsenal shirt. We all know he’s not justified that spend but at times, he has shown his quality.

And with him seemingly coming back from the AFCON like a new signing, Arteta will hope to see the very best of his winger in the coming months. At 26, he has time to hit his peak with Arsenal and time on his contract to do so.

However, Arsenal fans really need to see that consistency from Pepe. Hopefully, for them anyway, today’s clash with Brentford is the ideal time to get going.