Arsenal vs Newcastle: 5 key players in another must-win

3. Nicolas Pepe

I refuse to believe that Nicolas Pepe does not play in this Newcastle match. I also saw no possible way that Pepe wouldn’t play against Burnley, a match the finished without a goal. It’s the one thing about Mikel Arteta that I can’t defend. That I don’t understand. That I want answers for. Pepe is our best attacker right now. That’s a fact.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

• 3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton
• 3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory
• Arsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
• 3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
• Mikel Arteta provides Gabriel Martinelli injury update after Everton win

He is the only attacker we have that can create for himself. He is the only attacker we have that can dribble around any defender. He is the only attacker we have that can create a goal out of nothing.

So he has to play. Plain and simple. Even if he doesn’t start, he has to be called on later on in the match, no matter the situation. I don’t care if we’re down by four, deadlocked at four, or up by four. You have to let Pepe play.

I get that there are a lot of options, but if you want to do the right thing, you bench the ineffective Alexandre Lacazette, stick Aubameyang up front and run the attack that way. I won’t way it’s the only way, but it is most definitely the best way.

On to No. 2.