Arteta wants more consistency from Pepe

Mikel Arteta still wants greater consistency from Nicolas Pepe after the forward scored in a 4-1 Europa League win over Molde.

Pepe scored and provided an assist as Arsenal moved onto nine points in Group B on Thursday.

The Ivory Coast international, the club’s record £72million signing last year, has two goals and two assists in the Europa League this season, but has made just one Premier League start.

Arsenal manager Arteta wants more from Pepe – and the rest of his team, who host Aston Villa on Sunday.

“Consistency throughout the game, throughout 90 minutes, in every game, in the final third, the final product has to be better not just from him,” he told a news conference.

“We have to put higher demands at the moment. He scored a great goal and another assist and he can do more so he’s on the right path.

On to the next one 

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“In general consistency wise in the final third we have to finish more things better and we can improve a lot. That goes to every single player.

“Nico scored three goals and he could score 10. Willy [Joe Willock] the same, three assists, he needs 10. If we don’t have that mindset we can’t become the team we want to be.”

Arsenal fell behind to a Martin Ellingsen goal, but own goals from Kristoffer Haugen and Sheriff Sinyan came before strikes from Pepe and Willock.

Pepe had a game-high four key passes and no player had more shots (four) or shots on target (two) in the win over Molde.