• News

Arteta heaps praise on ‘creative’ Pepe after Dundalk win

Pepe, Arsenal
Getty Images
Advertisement

Mikel Arteta was pleased with Nicolas Pepe after a promising display as Arsenal eased past Dundalk in the Europa League.

Nicolas Pepe was on the scoresheet as Arsenal saw off Irish opposition Dundalk with ease at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners recorded a 3-0 win to make it two wins from two in their Europa League campaign this term.

Of all the goals, Pepe was the pick of the bunch with a brilliant effort from his weaker right foot just at the start of the second half.

The player has come under criticism as of late for his goal contributions or lack of it. However, he ended that talk in style.

Mikel Arteta was pleased to see the Ivorian get off the mark this season and has called on the player to be more consistent.

“He’s a player that takes risks,” the Arsenal boss told the club’s website.

“He’s a very creative player and this is the most difficult thing in football, when they all know what you can do as well and how much they want to prevent your space and the overloads that they generate to defend you as well.”

“So to create situations for them is complicated, but sometimes it’s the simple things: the deliveries, the amount of situations he is able to create or attract and then make the right decision to keep evolving that final ball, the finishing, the positioning inside the box which he has to be more consistent at.”

“We are working on that and hopefully he will be doing that much more efficiently.”

Arsenal take on Manchester United next in the Premier League and no doubt Arteta would be tempted to give Pepe yet another start.

x