Latest Arsenal News
Mikel Arteta is Optimistic that Nicolas Pepe will become a Top Star Soon

Arteta believes Pepe is ready to play a key role for Arsenal
Mikel Arteta is expecting Nicolas Pepe ‘to go to the next level’ imminently following the Ivorian’s much improved recent displays for Arsenal. Pepe joined the Gunners in a £72m deal from Lille in the summer of 2019, struggling during his first season in English football but has shown promise since the turn of the year, scoring in two of his last four appearances in the league. The 25-year-old is hoping for a fifth consecutive start against Leeds United on Sunday – having been shown a straight red for a headbutt on Ezgjan Alioski in the reverse fixture in November. Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Arteta expressed his delight with Pepe’s improving form, explaining his efforts on the training pitch are now being reflected in matches. Asked what more we can expect from Pepe, the Gunners boss said:
‘Again, that he can maintain that level now for months, not weeks. I think he’s done much much better. ‘I think there has been a click with him, even in his mentality, how he’s approaching every training session, the importance of every action in the game and how he can sustain his focus and his determination during games. ‘I really like his attitude. What’s he’s done in the last few weeks I think it’s been much better.

Nicolas Pepe in Action
Latest Arsenal News
Mikel Arteta demands answers over ‘obvious’ penalty Arsenal were denied in Burnley draw

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was left fuming following his side’s 1-1 draw with Burnley at Turf Moor because of the ‘obvious and clear’ penalty the Spaniard thought the Gunners should have been awarded.
It was a passage of play that saw Nicolas Pepe take on the Burnley left-back Erik Pieters, whose arm appeared to meet the ball and block it. The incident wasn’t flagged up by VAR and the game continued.
Pieters was later penalised for a separate incident when he blocked a goal-bound shot from Pepe, which deflected onto the crossbar and clear. Referee Andre Marriner pointed to the spot and brandished a red card, but VAR intervened when replays showed it had struck his shoulder.
The latter incident was a perfect example of how VAR should work, but Arteta was perplexed as to why the first incident wasn’t ruled a penalty, which could have given Arsenal the win.
“I think it’s obvious and clear, I think there is no debate about that. If that is not a penalty, then would someone explain what a penalty is in this league,” he said, via Arsenal.com.
“We created, but we didn’t score enough. We gave a goal to the opponent and then don’t get the decision that we should get. It then becomes very difficult to win the game.”
Mikel Arteta is not convinced that VAR got the big decisions correct today… pic.twitter.com/qH5QHfqyQV
— 90min (@90min_Football) March 6, 2021
Having taken the lead early through Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, the goal that Arsenal gave away was avoidable and the result of Granit Xhaka trying to play a pass that had been closed off by Burnley forward Chris Wood, who blocked it and diverted the ball into the goal.
Arteta defended Xhaka’s decision making in that instance, insisting that possession-based football from the back is still how he wants his team to play, despite the risks involved.
“It is what it is, it’s the way that we play and the way that I want to play,” the boss explained.
“We just have to know the risk and the rules that we have in certain areas in terms of the type of balls we have to play. But it is what it is.”
Latest Arsenal News
English FA explains why Arsenal were denied penalty against Burnley

The Premier League has claimed that Arsenal were denied a penalty against Burnley because Erik Pieters was in ‘close proximity’ to Nicolas Pepe.
The Gunners were forced to settle for a point at Turf Moor after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s early opener was cancelled out by Chris Wood, who benefitted from a huge mistake by Granit Xhaka.
However, Arsenal felt aggrieved in the 75th minute when Pepe’s touch inside Burnley’s box led the ball to hit Pieters’ outstretched arm, but Mikel Arteta’s side were not awarded a penalty following a VAR review.
Earlier this week, Fulham were involved in a similar incident as Mario Lemina was penalised for handball in the build-up to their disallowed goal against Tottenham.
But in a statement after the game, the Premier League clarified why Arsenal were not given the decision.
‘The ball has hit him from close proximity and he’s had no time to react,’ said the statement. ‘It wasn’t given on-field and the VAR didn’t think it was a clear error.’
No penalty on this play. Nicolas Pépé pleading for a handball from Erik Pieters. VAR was consulted, but no penalty was given. #BURARS pic.twitter.com/trEKckPW4J
— Fair Advantage (@FairAdvantageCA) March 6, 2021
Arteta, meanwhile, was left in no doubt that his side should have been awarded a penalty. ‘Absolutely,’ the Arsenal manager said after the game.
‘I think it is obvious and clear. I think there is no debate about that. ‘If that’s not a penalty, then someone will explain what a penalty is in this league.’
Latest Arsenal News
Just In: Xhaka apologizes to Arsenal Fans for his costly mistake against Burnley

Granit Xhaka is full of remorse for his horrendous display that led to Burnley goal, that cost Arsenal 2 points today.
He has come to apologize to Arsenal fans via his Official Facebook Page:
It’s class from him.
-
Latest Arsenal News21 hours ago
English FA explains why Arsenal were denied penalty against Burnley
-
Post-Match Analysis3 days ago
Match Facts: Liverpool 0 vs 1 Chelsea
-
Latest Arsenal News2 days ago
Emiliano Martinez says he loves everything about Arsenal but admits he never felt trusted by Mikel Arteta
-
Latest Arsenal News21 hours ago
Just In: Xhaka apologizes to Arsenal Fans for his costly mistake against Burnley
-
Latest Arsenal News4 days ago
Breaking: Mikel Arteta reveals Arsenal are preparing for ‘unprecedented’ summer transfer window
-
Latest Arsenal News6 days ago
News Flash: Emile Smith Rowe injury update
-
Latest Arsenal News3 days ago
Just In: Ashley Cole figures out Maitland-Niles’ main ‘problem’ at Arsenal
-
Latest Arsenal News1 day ago
Lineup Confirmed; Burnley vs Arsenal