Some Arsenal fans have been left concerned by Mikel Arteta’s comments about Nicolas Pepe.
Speaking before the club’s 2-1 defeat to Chelsea on Sunday, as cited on social media, Arteta was firm in his response when asked about Pepe’s recent struggles at the Emirates.
If he is willing to learn, if he is willing to work hard, I assure you he has the potential to be top, absolutely top.
Pepe came off the bench late in the second half against Chelsea but was unable to make an impact on the game. After his early-season struggles, these Arsenal fans are beginning to get a little worried.
Twitter: @urbanarsenaI Deeply concerns me that Arteta uses the word “if” with Pepe. (@GodsOfAge)
Twitter: @urbanarsenaI Something not right. Emery, Freddie and now Arteta all have made these sort of comments about Pepe. M… https://t.co/gFGwQXteqt (@Glorious_Gooner)
Twitter: @urbanarsenaI @ThePlugAFC So we dropped 72 mill on a lazy player, nice back ground checks Raul (@austyn08)
Twitter: @urbanarsenaI Both Freddie and Mikel not completely convinced by his work rate it seems (@GoeliKing)
Twitter: @urbanarsenaI I don’t like this comment reeks of something I don’t like (@legzy00)
Twitter: @urbanarsenaI arteta is right! Pepe is a very Lazy player.
He exposes our RB.
AMN improved since he stopped playing. (@georgeborowskie)
Read Arsenal verdict
It does seem like Pepe has a lot to learn about the Premier League before Arsenal fans ever see the best of him – if they ever do that is.
Taking time to adapt to the Premier League, especially when moving from Ligue 1 is something that we have seen time and time again. However, Pepe appears to be doing little to help himself on the training ground if Arteta’s comments are anything to go by.
The worrying aspect for Arsenal fans is the fact that Arteta is not the first manager to make these comments. Freddie Ljungberg shared similar concerns and fans have every right to be worried about the club’s big-money signing.
