Pain in the Arsenal
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Arsenal Vs Everton: 5 key players to watch – Top-four race is on

By Andrew Dowdeswell

PIRAEUS, GREECE - FEBRUARY 20: Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal FC reacts during the UEFA Europa League round of 32 first leg match between Olympiacos FC and Arsenal FC at Karaiskakis Stadium on February 20, 2020 in Piraeus, Greece. (Photo by MB Media/Getty Images)
PIRAEUS, GREECE - FEBRUARY 20: Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal FC reacts during the UEFA Europa League round of 32 first leg match between Olympiacos FC and Arsenal FC at Karaiskakis Stadium on February 20, 2020 in Piraeus, Greece. (Photo by MB Media/Getty Images) /
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4. Nicolas Pepe

Nicolas Pepe produced one of his better performances of the season last weekend. The Ivorian assisted the opening goal, then scored the second minutes later, with a smart run and finish, then played a key role in the third, coming inside to slip in Alexandre Lacazette who fed Mesut Ozil, before then finally setting up Lacazette for his second assist of the night.

These types of performances have been few and far between for a player who was meant to produce inspirational, match-winning displays. Pepe has the talent to score goals and create chances from seemingly nothing, and he has shown glimpses of this talent before, but as Mikel Arteta said last week, it is about performing at a consistently high level.

Pepe needs to play several games in succession, forcing his way into the starting XI time and again. He needs to perform week in, week out, producing over and over again. This is what separates the great players from the good. At present, Pepe is a good player capable of great things. Can he now take the next step?