Nicolas Pepe has been given an excellent chance to prove himself in an Arsenal shirt, and it will most likely be his final chance under Mikel Arteta.
Arsenal came out crucial 1-0 winners against Wolves but not without damage limation, as Gabriel Martinelli was sent off late into the second half.
Pepe has been ousted out of Arteta’s plans by the Brazilian but his suspension, it gives him a wonderful opportunity to prove his worth in the match against Brentford.
Alexandre Lacazette’s woeful finishing in front of goal could also give Pepe the potential chance in the striker position, but these last few months of the season will certainly outline the future of the Ivorian.
Martinelli struggled to break into Arteta’s side at the start of the season, however, an amazing substitute appearance against Newcastle in late November, where he grabbed a goal changed his fortunes for the rest of the season.
Pepe must take inspiration from this, and put in a similar if he is given the chance against Brentford which is likely to happen due to the suspension of Martinelli.
However, it isn’t just the Brazilian’s suspension that has given Pepe a route back into the team as Lacazette’s inability to score as a striker means that Arteta will need to be creative with his forward play to stop Arsenal from lacking in the goals department.
Pepe is yet to score in the Premier League this season, however, this could change if Arteta decides to utilise him as a striker.
Despite concerns over the 26-year-old’s overall play since being at the club, his finishing has been one of the positives since his arrival.
With Pepe’s lack of goal contributions this season, time is running out for the forward to succeed in an Arsenal shirt.
He has three years remaining on his contract meaning towards the end of the season the club will have to come to a decision whether or not to sell him, but his career at the club could be rejuvenated if given a chance in the striker role.
Alexandre Lacazette also looks set to leave the club in the summer which leaves the Gunners light in the striker position with Folarin Balogun likely to be the only forward at the club due to Eddie Nketiah’s departure also looking inevitable, which should also provide Pepe with motivation.
The club also had a great chance of signing Dejan Kulusveski in the January transfer window, but Arteta went against it most likely due to the presence of Pepe, so the Ivorian isn’t completely iced out of the Spaniard’s plans.
He has been given two avenues to work his way back into the squad and he must grasp the opportunities in order to avoid being sold in the summer transfer window.
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