Mikel Arteta explains the steps he is taking with ‘immense’ Arsenal player

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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has told Football London of the steps he is taking to improve the performance levels of Nicolas Pepe.

The 24-year-old has been relatively inconsistent since arriving in the summer for £72 million from Lille.

In all competitions, he has bagged just six goals and registered eight assists during 32 appearances.

Pepe typically plays on the right-wing where he can come inside onto his stronger left foot.

That can occasionally make him one dimensional and Arteta says it’s something he is working on with the Ivorian.

He told Football London: “It’s part of his development, he needs to open more doors to be more unpredictable for the opponent and give us more options.

“He’s working on it, he will improve, he will get better. He’s got the talent, immense quality and he’s willing to do it.”

Pepe has been a regular in the team under Arteta and he clearly backs him to become a success with the Gunners.

At 24 there is still lots of time left for him to come good; although, given the transfer fee, supporters might have expected more this season.

The trickster is somewhat predictable but as he adapts to life in the Premier League he will learn and Arteta might just the ideal manager for him.

His Arsenal career didn’t get off to the greatest start as he looked desperately short of confidence early on.

Arteta publicly backing his winger could serve him well, however, and next season could be a big one for the man with 18 caps for the Ivory Coast.