‘Pepe wants to be the best’ – Arteta hails winger After Crystal Palace Win
The Ivorian scored twice as the Gunners beat Roy Hodgson’s side 3-1 at Selhurst Park
Mikel Arteta hailed Nicolas Pepe after the Ivorian international scored twice Arsenal beat Crystal Palace 3-1 on Wednesday night.
The win was not enough to keep the Gunners’ hopes of qualifying for the Europa League alive, with sixth-placed West Ham 3-1 at West Brom meaning it is now impossible for the team d’Arteta to finish higher than seventh this season.
But Arteta was still full of praise for Pepe, who struck in both halves as the Gunners claimed four straight Premier League wins.
What was said?
Pepe has now scored six goals in his last 10 appearances and, when asked if the winger is starting to show signs of reaching his true potential with an Arsenal shirt, Arteta said: “I’m very encouraged and positive for two reasons.
“Firstly, because he’s come a long way in terms of consistency and what he’s producing in games. Not in the Premier League, but what he’s been doing in Europe this season.
“And the second because he changed his mind. He wants to watch every frame of mind, he wants to watch every post-game reflection that we do with him.
“Individually he wants to work and he wants to be the best. When that happens and he has the talent that he has, I think it’s a really good mix.
Pepe has come a long way
Pepe’s double against Crystal Palace brought his total of goals for the season to 14 in all competitions.
It’s six more than he did in his debut England campaign and Arteta believes his winger is now showing the kind of form that convinced Arsenal to break their transfer record to bring him to the Lille club. in 2019.
“It’s my feeling and it’s the feeling of everyone in the coaching staff, and their own feeling, that he has come a long way this season,” said the Arsenal boss.
“He didn’t have consistency in playing time sometimes, but I think in Europe he’s been great and in the Premier League he’s started to show a lot more what he looks like, and he’s very hungry .
“I think he has changed a lot in his mindset and his willingness to do a lot more.”
Where is Arsenal for Sunday?
Arsenal’s victory at Crystal Palace saw them move within a point of seventh-born Tottenham, but West Ham’s victory at West Brom means that it is now impossible for Arteta’s side to get away from it all. qualify for the Europa League next season.
This means their only entry into Europe is to finish seventh and qualify for UEFA’s new competition, the Europa Conference League.
To do so, the Gunners must beat Brighton on Sunday and hope Tottenham and Everton drop points in their games against Leicester and Manchester City respectively.
