The Arsenal record signing was handed marching orders after a thoughtless challenge, leaving his manager clearly unimpressed.
Nicolas Pepe was sent off in the 52nd minute of Arsenal’s goalless draw against Leeds United for a headbutt on an Ezgjan Alioski.
The two players clashed higher up the pitch as Pepe thrust his head at Alioski in an off-the-ball incident, with referee Anthony Taylor, after a clear review of the incident on VAR screen, brandished a red card to the former.
Mikel Arteta has been under huge pressure lately to start the €80 million man, who has largely been limited to making substitute appearances.
However, it appears that will not be the case for a while as Pepe is set to miss the next three Premier League games.
“It is unacceptable,” Arteta told Sky Sports after the full-time whistle, summing up the Ivorian’s rash actions.
“The reality is they threatened a lot our box and we were lucky on some occasions. With 10 men it is a big disadvantage.
“I really liked the personality of the team when Pepe let the team down, how we stuck to do what we had to do and had a moment or two to win the game, but obviously, it makes it really difficult.”
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