MX23RW : Sunday, March 29 05:10:55| >> :120:20847:20847:
Feb 27, 2020 at 8pm UK at Emirates Stadium
Attendance: 60,242
Arsenal
1-2
Olympiacos
Aubameyang (113')
FT
(aet)
Abou Cisse (53'), El-Arabi (120')

Charlie Nicholas urges Mikel Arteta to drop Nicolas Pepe for Olympiacos clash

Charlie Nicholas urges Mikel Arteta to drop Nicolas Pepe
© Reuters
Former Arsenal player Charlie Nicholas urges Mikel Arteta to consider dropping Nicolas Pepe for the second leg of their Europa League last-32 clash with Olympiacos.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been urged to drop record signing Nicolas Pepe ahead of the Gunners' Europa League last 32 second-leg clash with Olympiacos on Thursday.

Pepe joined Arsenal from French outfit Lille for £72m last summer, but has struggled to make a lasting impression at the Emirates, contributing four goals and six assists in 23 Premier League appearances.

Alexandre Lacazette's goal gave Arteta's side a hard-fought 1-0 victory in the first leg, with Ivory Coast international Pepe only playing the final 15 minutes of the tie.

Speaking to Sky Sports News, pundit Charlie Nicholas believes that the 24-year-old should not start the second leg.

"I do not think this is a certain win for Arsenal. Mikel Arteta will sit and read into the fact that they let in two against Everton. Bernd Leno gets Arsenal out of a lot of holes but he did slip up for the second goal," Nicholas said.

"Joe Willock and Alexandre Lacazette will come in I think. You have to keep Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in for his goals. Will Nicolas Pepe get another run? Probably. Does he deserve it? Probably not. I would probably look at Gabriel Martinelli."

Pepe contributed the assist for Aubameyang's winner in Arsenal's 3-2 victory over Everton at the weekend.

ID:390831:

Click here for more stories about Mikel Arteta

Click here for more stories about Arsenal

Share this article now:
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang celebrates scoring for Arsenal on December 1, 2019
Read Next:
Arsenal 'could be forced to sell Aubameyang'
>
Latest Sports Video
Did you know...?
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.

rhs 2.0
Live scores banner

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!