3 reasons why Nicolas Pepe is going to be a star for Arsenal

Arsenal fans got what they were waiting for in Sunday's Premier League win over Newcastle. In their biggest win of the season, by quite some distance, fans were treated to goals from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Nicolas Pepe, Mesut Ozil, and Alexandre Lacazette. They couldn't have picked a more fitting list of scorers.

Nicolas Pepe arrived from Lille in the summer and being Arsenal's record signing, he was bound to be on the receiving end of scrutiny from fans and the press. Many were quick to brand Pepe as a 'flop' which is understandable given he wasn't scoring or assisting in every match.

However, the Ivory Coast international has now scored six goals and provided seven assists across all competitions for Arsenal which is a respectable tally for the new man. Not just that, he has put in some emphatic displays during his times which is why the persistent draws would have been hard to take.

Mikel Arteta has instilled a lot of trust into the record signing and if yesterday's performance against Newcastle is anything to go by, he is starting to reap the rewards. He scored a goal and provided two assists, the lofted cross to Aubameyang being the highlight.

Here are three reasons why Nicolas Pepe will be a star for Arsenal

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#3 He is playing in a fluid attacking system

Nicolas Pepe is more than just a goal scorer.

One of the things which is most impressive about Arteta's philosophy is the free-flowing attacking nature. Under Unai Emery, this simply wasn't there because attackers were given much more of a defensive onus which they didn't seem to enjoy.

Pepe primarily plays as a winger on the right-hand side which he seems to like. This is his natural position after all. However, given the versatility of his fellow attackers, he is able to cut inside which was noticed against Newcastle.

What's most impressive about Pepe is his ability to not only score, but also to provide and beat his man on the wing. That said, to play as an auxillary winger is what suits him best and it's in this position which he will excel.

#2 He has the right calibre of attackers to provide

Pepe has a good relationship with his attacking partners.

The main reason why Nicolas Pepe has managed seven assists this season, although he could have easily had more, is the calibre of attackers around him. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette are two of the best in the league and this is why Arsenal forked out the big bucks for them.

Also, the emerging talent of Gabriel Martinelli is bound to help Nicolas Pepe add to his tally towards the end of the season. A common theme with these three goal scorers is their ability to find and exploit space. This is perfect for a player like Pepe, who has an excellent range of passing from an array of positions.

Pepe has formed a good relationship with his attacking counterparts, both on and off the field. This is important towards his development as an Arsenal player because if the chemistry is there, then the goals and assists will soon follow. It may have taken him a while to truly fit in but Pepe will feel happy with the players around him.

#1 He will be much happier under Mikel Arteta

For as long as Mikel Arteta has Pepe under his wing, Arsenal fans will be happy.

Of course, it was Unai Emery that made the big-money move happen back in the summer but it just seems like Pepe's morale is greater under Arteta. This can be said for the squad as a whole too, not just Pepe.

Arteta has been known to improve many players at Arsenal since his arrival, including Granit Xhaka and Lucas Torreira. Consequently, if Arteta is the option for Arsenal's long-term future, then Pepe and his teammates are in safe hands and they can flourish into better players .

Arteta will continue to give Pepe all the freedom in the world for as long as they have top quality and high-scoring forwards. That said, the Gunners aren't exactly in short supply - with Lacazette in his prime years and Martinelli not even hitting 20.

Pepe is still in the first year of his contract so the club still haa plenty of time to prove to him they are the right club for his future. However, keeping ahold of Arteta might just be the best way about that.

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