Mikel Arteta makes a hint on Nicolas Pepe’s future and progress as a player

Arsenal completed the signing of Nicolas Pepe for a record fee of £72million from Lille in the 2019 summer transfer window and he didn’t have a satisfying first season in England as he was only able to get five Premier League goals. Mikel Arteta has hint at the future of Nicolas Pepe at the Emirates Stadium and his progress as a player.

Nicolas Pepe has been criticized by some pundits and Arsenal fans for not performing as expected last season because the gunners bought him after he had an incredible season that saw him get 22 goals as well as making 11 assists for the French Ligue one side Lille. Willian has started ahead of Pepe in the first two Premier League matches which has raised some questions on whether Arteta might have given up on Nicolas Pepe but he has today however given his stance on the Ivorian international.

Nicolas Pepe hasn’t been linked with an exit from Arsenal but there has been fear in the gooners fanbase that the club might some time have to sell him if he doesn’t impress this season but Mikel Arteta has however hint at him staying for a long time by saying he will be with them for years and has also spoken out on the progress that he has made in the last few months.

ST ALBANS, ENGLAND – MARCH 01: Arsenal Head Caoch Mikel Arteta with Nicolas Pepe during a training session at London Colney on March 01, 2020 in St Albans, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

“I think Nico has come a long way. Obviously we know what the club paid for him when he joined and that was an extra pressure.” Mikel Arteta told Goal.

“But he is a player who had to adapt. It is a different style and he has a really good attitude and we can see big developments in a lot of places in his game.”

“He is very settled here, he is liked by the boys, he is a really good character to have around and I’m really positive we are going to have him for many years and that he can perform at a really high level consistently.”