Arsenal winger Nicolas Pepe seems to have turned a corner in regards to his form in recent matches.
The Ivorian international got on the scoresheet in the 2-1 defeat to Wolves and has looked sharp and hungry after being recalled to the starting lineup by manager Mikel Arteta for the double-header against Southampton last month.
However, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang now fit and available to start games again, a number of supporters on Twitter think Pepe should keep his place ahead of the club captain:
I can't agree more pepe is clicking
— kimsha? (@richiekimsha) February 3, 2021
But that’s hard since he’s the captain
— ZeroAFC (@_tomlinsin_) February 3, 2021
Auba has offered nothing when he came on yesterday. Unfortunately he needs a huge turnaround
— GSP (@AFCMK_) February 3, 2021
Guarantee pepe is dropped unfortunately
— Bubbles (@CalebSt67612829) February 3, 2021
Pepe's defensive workrate is better than Auba's.
— Sakanelli (@Sakanelli3) February 3, 2021
Choice is a good kind of trouble for any manager.
— Den ?? (@DenReus11) February 3, 2021
Auba is 100% coming back into the staring 11 against Villa. Whether it’s for Pepe or Laca. He’s the captain and was getting back to goal-scoring form before his family issues.
— Farax (@faraax77) February 3, 2021
Agreed auba has to fight for his place
— Dan Goldsmith (@DanGoldsmith88) February 3, 2021
Arteta, most likely, will drop him.
Will never understand how he arrives at such decisions when everyone else thinks otherwise; but hey, what do I know?
Hope Pepe stays in the line up, improve in his end product, and maybe, “do a Salah”!— F U N S O (@FunsoAnthonie) February 3, 2021
It’s a nice problem to have for Arteta. Pepe has given the Spaniard pause for thought in terms of his selection choices for the huge game against Aston Villa this weekend.
With Aubameyang having not set the world alight in recent months, there is certainly a case to be made for keeping him on the bench. There is, of course, the alternative option with the captain replacing Alexandre Lacazette instead but that would be harsh on the Frenchman. It will be interesting to see what Arteta chooses to do on Saturday.