England football legend and Match of the Day pundit, Alan Shearer, held nothing back in his scathing criticism of Nicholas Pepe as the Gunners slipped to an eighth defeat in the Premier League this season at Everton on Saturday.
Pepe’s dismal attacking performance summed up Arsenal’s woes at Everton, according to former England captain Alan Shearer.
Although the Ivorian scored his club’s 12th Premier League goal of the season from the penalty spot at Goodison Park, Shearer unleashed the full fury of the dragon on Pepe’s efforts from open play as the Gunners slipped horrifyingly to an eighth defeat from their 14 Premier League matches this season.
Pepe had scored Arsenal’s equaliser following a Rob Holding own goal for the hosts, before Yerry Mina headed the winner just before half-time.
Arsenal are now left in 15th place in the Premier League table following the defeat, and will drop to 16th should Brighton secure a win against bottom-dwelling Sheffield United on Sunday.
“Twelve goals [in the Premier League] all season and this is why,” said Shearer on Match of the Day over footage in which he highlighted Pepe’s lack of movement on the right flank.
“No options and when the ball goes wide, have a look at Pepe, not prepared to get in at all, [he’s] jogging, sometimes walking.
“He’s got to do more, he’s got to try to get on the end of it.
“Look at Pepe on the right-hand side, quite content to sit out there.
“He’s not bothered at all to try to break his neck to get in and get on the end of it and score goals.
“No wonder they are not creating chances, no wonder they are not scoring goals when he’s doing that sort of thing.
“It’s not just him, there are few players in that team not giving everything for the manager.
“They’re never going to score goals playing like that.”
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is under increasing pressure given recent poor results, although as it stands there are said to be no plans to sack him.