In a recent interview, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta stated that Nicolas Pepe, the Ivorian Africa Cup of Nations star, will assist the north London team finish among the Premier League's top four clubs this season.
He praised the winger for returning from the African Cup of Nations as a "changed player," and he predicted that the player would play a major role in the Gunners' push for a top-four finish.
Pepe had a fantastic end to the 2020-21 season, scoring six goals in six games, but has struggled to find his best form in the current campaign so far.
He has scored just two goals for Arsenal this season, but he had a productive performance for Ivory Coast in the African Nations Championship (AFCON) last month, scoring twice in four games.
Arsenal is now in sixth place, four points behind fourth-place Manchester United, but it still has three games in hand to reduce the gap on the Red Devils.
In a press conference on Friday, Arteta stated that since Nico returned from the African Cup of Nations, he has seen a "different Nico."
"I'm not sure what it is, but he has undoubtedly realised how important the finish of the season is to him." He had a fantastic finish to the season the year before. He has the ability to duplicate it.
"I don't want to have a player like him sitting on the bench and not being used, and I want to give him a chance as soon as I have the opportunity."
On Saturday, Arsenal will host Brentford at the Emirates Stadium.
After losing 5-4 in a penalty shootout against Egypt in the round of 16, Pepe and his Ivorian teammates were eliminated from the Africa Cup of Nations in the round of sixteen.
Another Premier League great, Eric Bailly, missed his penalty kick to send them packing from the tournament in Cameroon, therefore ending their dreams of earning a third AFCON title.
Egypt defeated the Elephants 5-4 in a lacklustre match, with Mohamed Salah of Liverpool scoring the winning goal in the final minute.
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