Alan Smith says Arsenal overpaid for Nicolas Pepe and admits £72m man is now a ‘problem’ for Mikel Arteta

Alan Smith believes Nicolas Pepe is now a ‘problem’ for Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta.

The Ivory Coast international has been underwhelming since joining the Gunners from Lille in the summer of 2019 for a club record fee of £72million.

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There have been unquestionable moments of quality, but just nine goals in 51 appearances has been a disappointing return for the front man, who has struggled to cement a place in Arteta’s starting XI.

And Gunners icon Smith believes his former club overpaid for Pepe, admitting he is now a ‘problem’ for Arteta.

He told "Well Nicolas Pepe is a problem in a way because he cost so much money. "To a certain extent you’re under a little bit of pressure to play him even if you don’t start him. He has disappointed.

"I was hoping in his second season that he would kick on. Clearly Arsenal paid far too much money for him. ‘Willian has been brought in who can play on the right-hand side although he is a much different player, but much more reliable.

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"We’ve seen in little glimpses that he [Pepe] can be exciting, he can turn a game.

"However, he’s got to bring more consistency to his game and I just hope that can happen in an Arsenal shirt."

Smith also insisted that the north London club are making progress under Arteta, who replaced Unai Emery as Arsenal’s manager in December 2019.

"I think it has been positive," Smith added. "Mikel has obviously come into the club and there has been a lot that needed changing.

"The culture, the attitude of the players, introducing the winning mentality, the toughness and steel, standards in training and on a matchday.

"He’s heading in the right direction, it is not a short fix and obviously some of the results don’t show the progress but as I say he is definitely moving in the right direction."