‘I told you last week’: Arteta says he was proved right about ‘outstanding’ Arsenal player against Wolves

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Arsenal against Wolves was another example of the drama the Premier League brings to football as the Gunners snatched a late win from the depths of despair.

Two late goals from Nicolas Pepe and a deflected Alex Lacazette effort ensured pandemonium at The Emirates and put Arsenal firmly back in the hunt for the top four. On the night, it was just about what they deserved too after Wolves tried all sorts of time-wasting tactics to see out a result.

In the end, it was the substitutions of Nicolas Pepe and Eddie Nketiah that did the business for Arsenal and Mikel Arteta. The usually out of favour pair were influential, with Pepe in particular impressing.

And Arteta, speaking after the win over Wolves, believes he was proven right in his thinking from last week about Pepe.

“I told you last week, I see a different Nico. I don’t know, it’s his energy, his happiness, his all-round play, how he’s training, I was convinced that he could come in and do something for the team,” Arteta told Football.London.

As we reported on TBR at the time, Arteta had spoken of Pepe’s improvement since the AFCON. Certainly, if last night is to go by, then the Ivorian is ready to deliver.

TBR’s View: Pepe To Prove People Wrong For Arsenal

Well, that will be both his and Arteta’s hope. For a long time now, there has been question marks over the money spent on Pepe and the impact he’s had. But now he seems he might get the chance to really show his worth.

Of course, a firing and fit Pepe is a bonus for Arsenal. He is a dangerous player, capable of magic moments and when he is on it, he’s a good finisher too, as he showed this week.