Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta has warned Nicolas Pepe that he must improve his consistency if he wants a place in his starting eleven.

The Ivorian was an unused substitute in the 3-0 defeat to Manchester City on Wednesday night, and the Gunners boss has hammered home the message that he needs to see more from the winger over the coming weeks:

“It’s clear that his consistency has not been at the level he can produce. He’s the first to accept that. That’s what I’m going to demand of a player of his level and calibre. He has to be producing every three days at the level that he can be.”

“He has to be a player that can make the difference, that is a threat, that generates fear in the opponent and gives us a big threat in the final third. His work rate has to be related as well with that kind of performance. He knows that.”

“He’s such a nice kid. He’s trying really hard. You have to accept as well, the timing and the way he has adapted for the first year. A lot has happened for him and we have to understand that. He’s willing and I’m sure we’re going to get the best out of that. I’m convinced of that.”

“It’s taking the flash moments into a consistent mode. That, for a creative wide player to do it, is a big task. Every detail has to be taken into account because it makes a huge difference. His mentality as well, his mindset has to all the time be like that; to win the game for the team. He’s one of the players in the squad that can do it and must take the responsibility.”

It is rather worrying that Arteta doesn’t deem a £72m signing as good enough to play on a regular basis for the first team at the moment.

The Spaniard does, of course, say that Pepe has the ability to succeed at the Emirates but the fact he was left on the bench midweek, despite having five substitutes available, does suggest a lack of faith in the player.

It will be interesting to see whether Arteta picks the 25-year-old to start at the Amex when they face Brighton this afternoon.