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Kieran Tierney's "horrible" experience of coming up against Nicolas Pepe in training backs up Mikel Arteta's claim that he has seen a different player since returning from AFCON.

The Ivorian has been on the fringes of the Spaniard's team for the majority of the season with the likes of Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe and Gabriel Martinelli above him in the pecking order.

Pepe was frustrated with his lack of game time and even approached Arteta to ask why he wasn't getting any minutes as the Gunners boss suggested he wasn't seeing enough from the winger in training.

There were reports that Arsenal were willing to cut their losses in January as clubs from France expressed an interest in the former Lille man.

Pepe, who scored Arsenal's opening goal in a 2-1 win over Wolves last month, would stay put as he starred for Ivory Coast in the African Cup of Nations at the turn of the year.

And it seems like he has taken Arteta's advice on board upon his return to the Emirates as the forward looks a "different player" according to the Arsenal boss.

Kieran Tierney and Rob Holding have echoed those sentiments this week as the defenders opened up on how difficult it is to face Pepe in training.

When asked who is the hardest to play in training, the Scottish international said: "I'd say Pepe all day. I play against him every day and it's a horrible experience.