IAN WRIGHT has urged Mikel Arteta to integrate Nicolas Pepe back into the Arsenal side following the departure of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The Gunners legend has stated that the Ivory Coast winger, 26, is in the 'last chance saloon' in North London having featured sporadically this season.
Pepe has featured in just nine games in the Premier League this term – starting on five occasions.
Since the 2-0 away win against Leicester on October 30, the club's record signing has appeared in two matches totalling 19 minutes of action.
Arteta has preferred the likes of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Emile Smith Rowe on the wings at the expense of Pepe.
But with striker Aubameyang joining Barcelona on a free transfer, Wright has insisted Arteta must now give Pepe more oppourtnies.
The 58-year-old has even suggested the ex-Lille forward could be an option up top with Arsenal having just Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah to rely on.
Pepe impressed at the Africa Cup of Nations having chipped in with two goals and one assist from his four outings
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Speaking on his Wrighty's House podcast, Wright said: "Up to this point he's not used Pepe in any way that makes me think he's got love for Pepe.
"I think Pepe might be in a last chance saloon, with the amount of games he hasn't played.
"I'd like to see something from him. When you watch him in the Africa Cup of Nations, where I think the defender is even harder with those guys, with how athletic, how good and how intelligent they are.
"You've got to do a lot more, and when you watch him, he's done it Why aren't we getting that out of him?
"If that means playing him in a False 9, or playing him in a position where he's just free and gets on the ball and runs at people."
Before adding: "It seems to me that Mikel has got to take a chance on that.
"The goals are going to have to come from Emile Smith Rowe, Saka, hopefully Martinelli.
"None of them are proven like Aubameyang was proven."
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