Arsenal: 5 questions Mikel Arteta must answer

4. How does he get the best out of Nicolas Pepe?

Arsenal signed Nicolas Pepe to be a world-beater. You do not spend £72 million and break your transfer record if you do not think that he can provide a sensational and unique impact on your team. That is precisely what the Gunners did last summer. And while those hefty expectations are perhaps unfair, Pepe has failed to live up to them.

Despite his struggles, he was also put in hugely disadvantageous situations, especially under Emery early in the season. Pepe did not perform as expected, yes, but he was also rarely given the chance to. And once Arteta came on board and started to work with the Irovian on his positioning, decision-making, and general game awareness, his production improved.

In his final three Premier League appearances, Pepe scored once and provided three assists. He was excellent in Arsenal’s 2-0 victory over Manchester United earlier in the season and he started to grow in confidence as he settled into Arteta’s system. He is a supremely gifted footballer and is capable of more than he has shown thus far, but can Arteta get the best out of him?