Mikel Arteta explains why Arsenal's assistant was upset with Nicolas Pepe during Leeds' victory
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has explained why assistant coach Albert Stuivenburg became frustrated with Nicolas Pepe after the Gunners' Premier League victory over Leeds United on Sunday.
Mikel Arteta has explained why Arsenal assistant coach Albert Stuivenburg became frustrated with Nicolas Pepe after their Premier League match against Leeds United.
The Gunners won 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, thanks to a first-half brace from Hale End academy graduate Eddie Nketiah. However, it was a tense finish in north London, with Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier opting to come up for a couple of set-pieces as the away side sought an unlikely point following Luke Ayling's red card.
Arsenal's club-record acquisition Pepe replaced Bukayo Saka in the second half, and the Ivory Coast international received the ball on the halfway line, giving him a great opportunity to take a long-range shot at the empty Leeds goal - or simply run down the line and waste some time. However, he chose to cut back onto his preferred left foot and was dispossessed, frustrating assistant coach Stuivenburg.
The team signing Pepe came on in the second half to substitute Bukayo Saka, and the Ivory Coast international won the ball on the centre circle.
The Dutchman gave Pepe an animated dressing down on the pitch after the final whistle, and Arteta admitted that the talented winger's decision left him bemused. "When you see him with an empty net in front of him and taking a touch backwards, we don't really understand," the Spaniard said.
"However, you must have the perception of the player at that time because they are the ones who make the decision. Fortunately, we didn't require that goal."
The result puts Arsenal four points ahead of fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur, whom they will face in one of the most anticipated north London derbies in recent years on Thursday.
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