Some Arsenal fans have walked away from the Burnley game feeling confused after watching Mikel Arteta snub record signing Nicolas Pepe.
The game, of course, finished 0-0 and several supporters feel things could have been different had the 24-year-old played. Pepe was excluded from his manager’s starting XI and was not even brought on as a substitute despite Arsenal struggling to find a goal.
The decision to leave him on the bench has not exactly gone down well, and it is not hard to see why. While Pepe has not met the high expectations that came with his transfer just yet (has scored just three league goals), he has still been one of the Gunners’ more creative players this season.
For example, with an average of 1.2 key passes per game, only Mesut Ozil (2.1) is creating more chances than the Ivory Coast international (via WhoScored). Nevertheless, Arteta opted against using Pepe at all during the encounter at Turf Moor, a decision he may now regret.
For one supporter, this sort of management is exactly why predecessor Unai Emery got sacked, while another simply used the word “backfired” for his assessment of things. Looking at what Pepe has to offer, you can see where they are coming from.
Take a look at what else is being said below…
He should be playing ahead of Lacazette
— Chris Perry (@Mr_Perry11) February 2, 2020
Some decisions baffle me. Pepe doesn’t play. AMN doesn’t make the 18
— El Tigre (@ElTigreGooner) February 2, 2020
Pepe was on the bench and Arteta brought on Willock. This is one the stupid substitution that got Unai Emery sacked. Nonsense
— Franklin (@Franklinoh) February 2, 2020
Arteta was in tinkering mode today. It backfired.
— Yakubu Musa (@Alhazanism) February 2, 2020
Some poor decisions from Arteta today. Another draw. Top four slipping further and further away. More pressure on the Europa League when it returns
— Luke-John Buckle (@Formula1spyJohn) February 2, 2020
Today’s selection is awful. We were playing to their strength instead of playing to our strength. This is Emerysque kinda of selection and tactics.
— Abby Balogun (@abbytwitt) February 2, 2020
Arsenal fans, did Arteta get his line-up wrong? Tell us what you think in the comment section below!
