Mikel Arteta has told Nicolas Pepe that he has to find more consistency if he wants to threaten for a place on Arsenal’s regular starting line-up.
Despite signing over £ 70million last summer, the Frenchman has struggled to maintain a regular spot, especially under Arteta this season.
Pepe scored his third goal of the season in a 4-1 win in the Europa League against Molde and also registered an assist.
But the Gunners boss has suggested that he has “higher demands” on his players and that Pepe has to find more if he wants to start in the Premier League.
When asked what he needs to do to get more starts, Arteta told Football.London: “Consistency throughout the game. During 90 minutes, in every game, in the last third, the end product doesn’t just have to be better from him. We have to make higher demands at the moment. He scored a great goal and another assist and can do more to keep him on the right track.
“Generally we have to finish more things better in the last third and we can improve a lot. That goes to every single player.
“Nico scored three goals and was able to score ten goals. Willy [Joe Willock] He needs 3 assists 10. If we don’t have that attitude, we can’t become the team we want to be. “
Joe Willock took his chance with both hands against the Norwegians and showed his second impressive European performance in a row.
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(Image: Getty Images)
And after the win, his manager was full of praise for the striker as he finally wanted to establish himself in the Emirates.
“I think he was really strong,” Arteta said of Willock. “The way he approaches every opportunity shows how mature he is.
“I saw his press conference too. I am impressed with the way he communicates that he is developing immediately.
“He’s a player I like. He has some very special qualities and that shows with his performances, his goals and his attitude.”
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