Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta facing big Nicolas Pepe decision this week as problems mount

When it comes to what happens next for Nicolas Pepe at Arsenal, we will have to let actions speak louder than words.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was clearly furious with the Ivorian on Sunday night following his red card for a petulant headbutt on Leeds’ Ezgjan Alioski - and was short and sharp with his responses on the matter during his press conference after the 0-0 draw at Elland Road.

“Very clear, it’s unacceptable,” is all Arteta said when asked about the sending off.

The Spaniard was then pushed about whether he had spoken to Pepe and again replied: “It’s unacceptable.”

Arteta had every right to be angry with Pepe after his sending off in the 51st minute, which left Arsenal in the lurch and scrapping to hold on for a point against Leeds. Some dogged defending, the woodwork and the brilliant Bernd Leno in goal ensured the Gunners got that, but on another day they could have lost by two or three.

Pepe’s headbutt was hardly the most violent action you will see on a football pitch, with former Manchester United defender Patrice Evra saying Alioski “deserves an Oscar”, but it was still inexcusable.

Whether Alioski made the most of it or not, the fact remains Pepe should know in the modern era you cannot go head to head with another player like that and expect to get away it - especially when VAR is watching every action and indeed it was they who flagged the incident to referee Anthony Taylor.

Once Taylor had watched it again on the pitch-side monitor he had no choice but to send Pepe off and now you wonder when we will see him again.

Arteta chose to say very little on Sunday night, but his actions can speak loudly this week. Pepe is due to be banned for three Premier League games, including next month’s north London derby, but he is not suspended for the Europa League.

Arsenal travel to Molde on Thursday looking to secure qualification for the knockout stages and now Arteta has a decision to make as to whether he plays Pepe or drops him for this dismissal against Leeds.

The reality is, however, that Arteta could be forced into playing the winger as this trip to Yorkshire only added to Arsenal’s issues.

The Gunners came into it off a difficult international break, which saw Mohamed Elneny and Sead Kolasinac test positive for Covid-19 while away with their countries. Kieran Tierney, who played the whole match on Sunday, had already played 300 minutes for Scotland in six days and captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had spent the night stuck in an airport before playing for Gabon the next day.

That had taken its toll on Arsenal’s squad and Sunday only added to their woes as Bukayo Saka and Willian both went off with injuries.

“We lost two players on international duty and we had a player that came who wasn’t in the condition to start,” said Arteta.

“We lost two players to injury today and one through suspension and we have an incredible amount of games coming up.

“We will see what happens in the next few hours, but we will put a team there to compete in the way that we do now and every team is going to face challenges with the amount of fixtures we have. Let’s hope that we can get some back.”

Whoever Arteta puts on the pitch, he will hope they can find a way to end Arsenal’s goal drought. Following the 0-0 draw at Leeds, the Gunners have now gone over seven hours without a goal from open play in the Premier League.

That is a run that dates back to October 4 and if Arsenal are to turn a corner, they need to start firing in front of goal.

Pepe had looked like he could be the man to spark the team into life, but now you are left wondering when he will get his chance again.

Read More

Arsenal and Leeds strongly condemn vile abuse sent to Pepe and Alioski

Arsenal forward Pepe faces racist abuse online after red card

Pepe blew his Arsenal chance, and it could be a long wait for another

Arteta ‘worried’ by Arsenal lack of goals after latest blank