As Nicolas Pepe entered the field in the 71st minute of Arsenal's clash with Wolves, it seemed the die on his career at the Emirates had already been cast.
The £72 million man had failed to start a single Premier League game since October's 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace after finding himself behind Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, Gabriel Martinelli and even Eddie Nketiah in the Gunners' pecking order at points this season.
Things got so bad that the Ivorian was even linked with a late transfer away from North London in the January transfer window. While the veracity of those reports was later questioned, Mikel Arteta revealed that talks had taken place over the 26-year-old's lack of game time.
