Ian Wright hammers ‘very, very poor’ Arsenal duo despite weekend win

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Arsenal hero Ian Wright has hammered Willian and Nicolas Pepe for their recent performances, during a punditry stint on BBC Sport.

The former striker watched on as the Gunners needed extra-time to defeat Newcastle United on Saturday.

Arsenal needed goals from Emile Smith Rowe and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to progress against Steve Bruce’s strugglers.

Afterwards, Wright spoke of his disappointment at Willian and Pepe, with both players failing to make an impact.

He told BBC Sport during the live broadcast: “Very, very poor today from Pepe.

“Same with Willian. These are two players we needed a lot from and we are just not getting it to be honest.

“In the end, Arteta had to bring his best guys on because the guys he brought in, just didn’t do it in the first half.”

Pepe has failed to really pin down a place in the Arsenal side since a £72 million transfer from Lille in 2019.

The 25-year-old has scored 13 goals and claimed 13 assists in 63 appearances for the Gunners.

He has struggled to gain any real consistency and already looks like he faces a battle to revive himself at Arsenal.

Likewise, Willian who checked in from Chelsea during the summer.

He rakes in £192,000-a-week and he’s not produced the goods for the North London-based team just yet.

The 32-year-old claimed three assists on the opening day of the campaign but doesn’t have a goal contribution to his name since.

TBR View: Is the future bleak for struggling duo?

For Pepe, aged 25, you’d have to say he still has a bit of time on his side.

He has done himself some justice in Europe and the challenge for Arteta is to get a tune out of him domestically.

Willian, on the other hand, is seemingly already facing a fight for his Emirates Stadium future.

His form at Arsenal has been nothing shy of average and supporters are growing disgruntled by the week.

He was signed as a proven performer to help the younger players along.

Right now, however, the Hale End graduates are upstaging the man with 70 caps for Brazil.

Willian needs to roll his sleeves up and sort his form out.

If he doesn’t his stay at Arsenal could prove extremely shortlived.