Mikel Arteta has seen "different" side to Nicolas Pepe in recent weeks at Arsenal

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta praised Nicolas Pepe ahead of his team's 2-1 victory against Brentford on Saturday afternoon.

The Ivory Coast international, 26, came off the bench to help the Gunners pick up all three points at the Emirates and move to within a point of Manchester United in fourth.

Pepe's Arsenal career appeared over in January, as reports suggested Arteta was willing to sell the £72million signing for just £25m.

The Spaniard, however, has seen a "different" side to Pepe since he returned from the Africa Cup of Nations last month.

Ivory Coast were knocked out in the last 16 of the tournament after losing a penalty shootout to eventual runners-up Egypt.

"Since he has come back, I have seen a different Nico," said Arteta. "I don’t know what it is, probably he has realised the importance of the end of the season for him.

"His attitude, his smile, the way he is communicating with everybody, his energy. The way he has trained. His efficiency in training. His application.

"His energy has changed. I think he felt important again. Probably he felt like a proper football player that can win tournaments and felt, 'Ok this is me now.'

"He needed that and I’m really pleased with that."

Pepe, who scored 22 Ligue 1 goals during his final season with Lille, has managed just 15 in the Premier League since joining the Gunners.

On the forward's future at Arsenal, Arteta added: "I hope he does [stay], but I understand that when a player doesn’t play he is disappointed.

"Nico has been disappointed because he wanted to have more minutes, but hopefully he can play many more minutes and he can contribute to the team because he has the ability to do it.

"He had a brilliant end of the season last year. He can replicate