Mikel Arteta has warned Nicolas Pepe he has no more excuses now to justify his £72million price tag after an upturn in form for the Ivorian winger.
The 25-year-old has enjoyed a good few weeks in north London, scoring in both of Arsenal's Europa League quarter-final legs over Slavia Prague and has started in eight out of the Gunners' last 12 league matches since the end of January.
Arteta admitted that Pepe has needed time to adjust to life at Arsenal but the Gunners boss admitted that the winger's recent form means he must now show the consistency required to stay as a regular star.