Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has offered his support to Ivorian winger Nicolas Pepe, who came under fire after being sent off against Leeds United on Sunday.
Pep was shown a straight red card when he saw a headbutt on the ball to headbut Ezgen Aliowski.
“No, not at all [the end of his Arsenal career after the red card]Arsenal.com quoted Arteta as saying that he was then asked about the winger’s future.
“I will give my full support to Niko at all times. He knows where to improve and we all know his qualities. He has some responsibility, I have a lot of responsibility, to get the best out of him and get the best place for him, the best field where he can do what he can with the ball. I can’t blame him at all, “said the Arsenal manager.
Ardeta’s latest comments seem to contradict Arsenal’s initial reaction to a draw in the game against Leeds.
Speaking right after the game, he called Pepe’s headbutt “unacceptable” and accused him of disappointing the team.
“It simply came to our notice then. Unacceptable. You can’t do that at this level, “he said.
Pepe struggled to replicate the form that saw Arsenal sign him from Ligue 1 side Lille for 72 million.
Ivorian has featured 50 competing features for North Londoners since his arrival, scoring 10 times.
