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Mikel Arteta On Connection Between Arsenal Team And Supporters

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has claimed that he has seen a different Nicolas Pepe in recent weeks.

Pepe joined the Gunners from Lille for a club-record £72million back in the summer of 2019 after enjoying a stellar 2018/19 campaign with the Ligue 1 outfit.

However, the talented winger has struggled to replicate that form in England on a consistent basis and has barely played this season, starting just five Premier League games for the north Londoners this term.

Now, Arteta has backed the Ivory Coast international to have a key role in the club's top-four charge, admitting that the 26-year-old has changed his attitude since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations last month.

"Since he has come back from AFCON I think I have seen a different Nico as well," the Spaniard said.

"I don’t know what it is, probably he has realised the importance of the end of the season for him. He had a brilliant end of the season last year. He can replicate that.

"We need him at his best because everybody is going to contribute. We are a really short squad at the moment and we need it