Mikel Arteta issues warning to pepe

Having been an unused substitute as Arsenal lost 3-0 to Manchester City, Nicolas Pepe picked up roughly where he left off before the suspension of the season.

Speaking ahead of the Brighton match, Mikel Arteta has challenged him to up his game .

“It’s clear that his consistency has not been at the level he can produce,” he said. “He’s the first to accept that. That’s what I’m going to demand of a player of his level and calibre".

“He has to be producing every three days at the level that he can be. He has to be a player that can make the difference, that is a threat, that generates fear in the opponent and gives us a big threat in the final third. His work rate has to be related as well with that kind of performance.

“He knows that. He’s such a nice kid. He’s trying really hard. You have to accept as well the timing and the way he has adapted for the first year.

“A lot has happened for him and we have to understand that. He’s willing and I’m sure we’re going to get the best out of that. I’m convinced of that.

“It’s taking the flash moments into a consistent mode. That – for a creative wide player to do it – is a big task.

“Every detail has to be taken into account because it makes a huge difference. His mentality as well, his mindset has to all the time be like that to win the game for the team. He’s one of the players in the squad that can do it and must take the Responsibility's".