Arsenal Vs Burnley: 5 key players to watch – Nicolas Pepe under pressure

1. Nicolas Pepe

Arsenal are welcoming one of their greatest crops of young talents into the senior squad. From the Hale End products to those signed at a young age, there are several burgeoning individuals ready to make the step up to the senior team. That has a very obvious impact on those already manning the starting places: they must perform.

For no one is that truer than Nicolas Pepe. The £72 million club-record signing has shown glimpses of his natural ability so far this season, but his end product and consistency has been discouraging. Even under Mikel Arteta, who has improved the play of Pepe’s teammates, the Ivorian has struggled to do more than produce little moments of individual brilliance.

With the recent displays of Gabriel Martinelli, Eddie Nketiah and Bukayo Saka proving what they are capable of, as well as the return of Aubameyang from suspension, Arteta now has capable options beyond Pepe. That leaves Pepe needing to prove his worth, which he has thus far failed to do.

Pepe will likely get one more start to illustrate his value to Arteta. He must make it count, because, if he doesn’t, there are plenty of others chomping at the bit to take his place.