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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta shuts down questions over decision to bench £72m signing Nicolas Pepe again after bringing on Eddie Nketiah in 2-1 defeat at Everton

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta gave a blunt response when questioned over Nicolas Pepe's lack of game time as he shut down questions over his decision to play Eddie Nketiah against Everton ahead of the club-record signing.

The Gunners suffered their third consecutive away defeat on Monday night after they threw away a first-half lead at Goodison Park.

Martin Odegaard opened the scoring before the break but Richarlison's second-half header levelled for the Toffees before Demarai Gray's 92nd-minute winner snatched all three points for the under-fire home side.

Eddie Nketiah is expected to leave Arsenal on a free transfer next summer
u00a372million-signing Nicolas Pepe hasu00a0only played five minutes in the last seven Premier League games

Arteta surprisingly favoured Gabriel Martinelli and Alexandre Lacazette in the starting XI over captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and £72million club-record signing Pepe.