Paul Merson believes Nicolas Pepe’s inconsistency has seen him fall down the pecking order at Arsenal.
The Ivorian was handed a rare start in Arsenal’s 5-1 win over Sunderland on Tuesday night as he helped secure their spot in the Carabao Cup semi-finals.
Goals from Pepe, Charlie Patino and Eddie Nketiah (3) were enough to down the League One outfit in an entertaining encounter in north London.
The winger was given his chance to impress with the likes of Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka rested on the bench.
Pepe has made just five Premier League starts this season and under Arteta has endured mixed fortunes, sometime delivering a memorable display while in other games he’s gone missing.
Reports suggest he could be on the move in January, or at the end of the season, and Merson believes his failure to deliver convincing performances on a consistent basis is the reason for his downfall.
‘I would probably say so,’ Merson said on Sky Sports before kick-off when asked if tonight’s match was his last chance to impress.
‘I think if they could probably sell him in January they would probably sell him in my opinion.
‘I think he would probably move on if he could, he’s just not been consistent enough in my opinion.
‘I think the ones you’ve just said in front of him have been consistent. This lad could be an 8/10 or a 4/10.
‘As a manager you want someone who gives you a steady 7/7.5 and you’d settle for that instead of being a nine one week and a four the week after.
‘This lad will move on, they’ll probably sell him for £20m-30m, lose £30m-£40m on him and no one will say a dickie bird.’
MORE : ‘Arsenal have got a new £50m signing’ – Paul Merson hails Gabriel Martinelli’s impact
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