{"id":571849,"date":"2020-11-11T06:14:33","date_gmt":"2020-11-11T11:14:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/?p=571849"},"modified":"2026-01-30T16:37:40","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T21:37:40","slug":"nicolas-pepe-frustrated-by-lack-of-playing-time-at-arsenal-under-mikel-arteta","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2020\/11\/11\/nicolas-pepe-frustrated-by-lack-of-playing-time-at-arsenal-under-mikel-arteta\/","title":{"rendered":"Nicolas Pepe Frustrated by Lack of Playing Time at Arsenal Under Mikel Arteta"},"content":{"rendered":"

Nicolas Pepe<\/a> has expressed his frustration at not being a regular starter for Arsenal<\/a> under the management of Mikel Arteta.<\/p>\n

Having not started a Premier League match for the Gunners since their 1-0 defeat at Manchester City<\/a> on 17 October, Pepe stated that his ‘goal is to play more’.<\/p>\n

Nicolas Pepe Frustrated by Lack of Playing Time at Arsenal<\/h2>\n

Pepe Wants More Minutes After Impressing in Cup Competitions<\/h3>\n

In an interview with Canal Plus, via Sky Sports<\/a>, Pepe stated: “My goal is to play more. To have a little more playing time,”<\/p>\n

“A player who plays is happy. For me, I would like to play a little more to find a smile again.<\/p>\n

The Ivory Coast international has struggled for consistency<\/a> since he swapped Lille for north London in a \u00a372 million move last summer, starting only one Premier League game so far this season.<\/p>\n

The 25-year-old has shown flashes of individual brilliance so far this season, with some impressive performances in the Europa League. However, the Gunners’ club-record signing wants to rediscover his best form by becoming a regular starter for Arteta.<\/p>\n

Pepe continued: “He (Arteta) wants me to be 100 per cent focused during the 90 minutes of the match. Afterwards, I see during training that I will be a substitute the following weekend.<\/p>\n

“But the coach speaks to me, he also has assistants who are there for that. But it is frustrating for any player to be on the bench.<\/p>\n

“A super-sub role? The coach makes his choices. It’s up to me to show him that I don’t have that role.”<\/p>\n

Pepe to Take Chance After International Break?<\/h3>\n

After the conclusion of the latest international break, Arsenal will be keen to make amends for a humbling home defeat to Aston Villa<\/a> when they travel to Leeds United<\/a> on 22 November.<\/p>\n

Fellow winger Willian has endured a poor run of form whilst Arsenal are struggling in attack. As a result, Arteta may look to Pepe as the player who can unlock his side’s attacking potential as the season progresses.<\/p>\n

Main Photo<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>