‘You have to love him’: Mikel Arteta says player’s he just let leave Arsenal has been ‘phenomenal’ in training

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Arsenal winger Nicolas Pepe has joined French side Nice on loan this week and Mikel Arteta has been singing his praises today.

The Ivorian, who cost Arsenal what is still a club-record £72m, has often struggled for his best form since that arrival and he’s drifted further down the pecking order this season under Mikel Arteta.

However, rather than criticise Pepe for wanting to leave the club, Arteta has instead lavished praise on the winger, insisting that his attitude has been ‘phenomenal’ for a player not getting the minutes he wants.

“I think Nico has tried to deal with that (club record transfer fee) in the best possible way. Obviously he’s not responsible for the price a club paid for him. He’s tried everything. His attitude has been just phenomenal. I think you have to meet the person because you have to love him for the way he is,” Arteta told his pre-match presser.

“We have made other decisions on the pitch and obviously that has impacted the chances he’s had to show his quality. He needs his minutes, he’s been craving it and talking to me a lot about it and I couldn’t guarantee it. If we extend that too long then frustration comes in, and performance is affected, so we decided it was the best thing to do.”

TBR’s View: Right Decision For Pepe To Leave Arsenal

This will hopefully be a win-win situation for the Gunners. If Pepe plays well and impresses in Nice, then they can choose to sell him for a decent figure or even integrate him back into the squad next season if he really impresses.

Pepe is clearly a very talented player and at times he has shown that talent in an Arsenal shirt. However, it’s all been too inconsistent and Arsenal needed to make a decision for everyone’s benefit.

Arteta’s words, though, are a kind touch from a manager who is clearly well-liked at London Colney.