Mikel Arteta reveals what he told Nicolas Pepe before his brilliant performance against Wolves
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Arsenal enhanced their top four ambitions with a come-from-behind win against Wolves in the Premier League on Thursday night.
Wolves took the lead 10 minutes into the game after striker Hwang Hee-chan sneaked in to finish off brilliantly to give Bruno Lage’s side the lead .
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Hide AdFor large parts of the game it looked like the Gunners would be frustrated but Arteta’s substitutions would make the difference.
The introduction of Nicolas Pepe, who scored the equalising goal before linking up with Alexandre Lacazette for the dramatic late winner, proved that despite recent frustrations he was still a player who could be counted on.
The three points will be vital going forward with Tottenham dropping points and Manchester United having played two games more than Arteta’s side.
Pepe in particular has been frustrating this season, and lost his starting spot in the team following below par performances, but today’s showing was a reminder of the enormous talent that made Arsenal splash £72m on him, making him the club’s record signing.
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Hide AdThe Ivorian winger ended last season on form and there were hopes that this would be the season that he explodes, but inconsistency has meant he has managed just 11 games with six of them being from the bench.
The goal against Wolves was his first of the season, and he will have to come up with more if the Gunners are to seal Champions League football.
What did manager Mikel Arteta tell Nicolas Pepe before his goal
Manager Mikel Arteta, who has consistently maintained that the Ivorian was a key part of his plans, revealed what he told him before giving him the final 20 minutes of the game.
Arteta said: “I just told him to be himself and help us and I have to say he is on the right path.
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Hide Ad“When you do that and contribute to the team you’re going to get more minutes. He has the ability to do it, that’s for us.”
Bruno Lage’s side had gone into the contest searching for their sixth win in seven top-flight matches, and a fifth successive away victory in the top flight for the first time in 42 years, but it was not to be.
Arsenal will now turn their attention to a visit to Vicarage Road to take on Watford, while Wolves will make a quick turn around to the London Stadium to take on West Ham United over the weekend.