Arsenal: Nicolas Pepe’s extraordinary mental strength

Nicolas Pepe’s time at Arsenal has been filled with more downs than ups. He came into the country two years ago with no pre-season and a monstrous price tag. It did not help matters that the club was led by the chaos of Unai Emery; confusing tactics and baffling training sessions with a manager who could not clearly articulate his instructions compounded the transition.

All throughout his first season, however, there were flashes of quality. A drop of the shoulder here, a nutmeg there. Pepe soldiered on, starting and then being dropped in a rollercoaster of a time with Emery.

Then arrived Mikel Arteta. The fanfare of players like Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez preceded the Spaniard and hopes were sky high about Arteta being able to refine the Ivorian into a lethal finisher.

Performances improved and culminated in the FA Cup final, with Pepe running the show from the right hand side. It seemed as if the work on the training ground was finally paying off. The winger and fans alike had high expectations for the new season. He was, after all, acclimated to the Premier League now and had a manager who could elevate him to the next level.

Nicolas Pepe has shown extraordinary mental strength at Arsenal despite his struggles

Willian threw a wrench in those aspirations. Arteta seemed to back Willian above everyone else. Relentlessly. The record signing was cast aside and with each dreadful performance from his Brazilian replacement, doubts over Pepe’s future began to grow. Who can forget the insipid red card against Leeds? So out of character from an introspective member of the squad, it captured the frustration of both player and manager.

From then on, however, Pepe has slowly but surely improved.

He has done everything Arteta has demanded and more. Arteta desired work rate and Pepe began tracking back with an unparalleled hunger; Arteta commanded consistency and Pepe began delivering game after game; Arteta ordered end product and Pepe began recording goals and assists.

The raw talent was always there. But the single-minded focus Pepe has shown in doing everything he can to help the team needs to be praised. It is this mindset that new transfers and old faces alike must have: the willingness, desire and commitment to improve not only themselves, but also the team.

Nicolas Pepe is leading by example.