The 26-year-old Ivorian came off the bench to lay the fifth goal as the Gunners cruised past the Toffees at the Emirates Stadium
Ivory Coast international Nicolas Pepe came off the bench to set up a goal as Arsenal roared to a convincing 5-1 Premier League victory against Everton at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
It was Gabriel Martinelli who put the Gunners ahead from the penalty spot in the 27th minute after Nigeria international Alex Iwobi was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box after a VAR check.
Ghana prospect Eddie Nketiah doubled their advantage with a close-range header in the 31st minute before Donny van de Beek brought the Toffees back into the game in the 45th minute to make the score 2-1 at the half-time break.
Arsenal defender Cedric Soares then made it 3-1 in the 56th minute before another defender Gabriel Magalhaes grabbed the fourth and Martin Odegaard wrapped up the emphatic win with a brilliant finish in the 82nd minute.
Arsenal were all over Everton from the first whistle and a mistake by Iwobi, who has enjoyed a good season under Frank Lampard, helped them to take the lead. The 26-year-old Super Eagle put his body on the line to try and block a shot from Martinelli, but the ball hit his hand.
The incident forced the referee to go to the screen at the side of the pitch to check Iwobi’s block for handball and he pointed to the spot. Up stepped Martinelli, who made no mistake as he went for the bottom-left corner past Asmir Begovic.
Nketiah then found himself on the right spot in the six-yard box to glance home a header from Odegaard’s corner and make it 2-0 but Van de Beek tapped home for Everon after Iwobi and Dominic Calvert-Lewin had combined from the middle of play to set him up.
The Gunners regained their two-goal advantage as Cedric found the net with a great strike and it was 4-1 after Gabriel received a cross from Cedric to blast his effort through Begovic.
Pepe was then introduced for Bukayo Saka in the 78th minute and the Ivorian, who has struggled for play-time under Arteta, provided the assist for the fifth goal. Pepe controlled the ball from the right-wing before setting up Odegaard, who opened up space for a shot and beat Begovic with an effort into the bottom-left corner.
The last time Pepe had featured in the league for Arsenal was on May 16 against Newcastle United, a match that he played 17 minutes in during a 2-0 defeat. In total, he has netted one Premier League goal this term, and chipped in with two assists.
In last season's Premier League, Pepe appeared in 29 games for Arsenal, scored 10 goals, and provided one assist. Prior to linking up with Arsenal in August 2019, Pepe made 74 league appearances in total at Lille, scoring 35 goals and providing 15 assists.
lowdmnptuy
0
Whatever that has happened you can't unlock but go just ahead. Arsenal and Arteta are on the right path and if God's willing we'll be back in ucl next season.
Puabcoprsy
1
arsenal they're very foolishness again they miss ucl
zubbiknru
0
Another year Gunners failed as they have done since 2004. The current roster of Arsenal are bunch of average young players that if Arsenal had 5 of the best coaches in the world at the same time at the s results would be about the same. Arsenal needs about 9 to 10 half in their high 20s and half in low 20s players that have future potentials to be great meaning, spending $300 to $400 millions which we all know that is not going to happen.
Comparing oranges and apples
Alberto_10
1
Another year Gunners failed as they have done since 2004. The current roster of Arsenal are bunch of average young players that if Arsenal had 5 of the best coaches in the world at the same time at the s results would be about the same. Arsenal needs about 9 to 10 half in their high 20s and half in low 20s players that have future potentials to be great meaning, spending $300 to $400 millions which we all know that is not going to happen.
Awww r u mad that mbappe didn’t arrive so you go an criticise other teams?? Cry more
subilort
1
champions league gone
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don't mind the shameless people from epl contender to europa contender with their almighty cow called goat 🤣
Alberto_10
0
champions league gone
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Ur the one talking? Lmao focus on ur own team
AB1604
0
all credit to Arteta..., he tried to bring that team with those players to top 5...be grateful you ungrateful arsenal fans
We are living in a result driven society whether we like it or not. When you sell your No. 1 striker and your No. 2 and No. 3 are not firing well, and then you have the guts to go half a season without a prolific front man, you will fall short and that's what happened in this scenario.
zubbiknru
0
Another year Gunners failed as they have done since 2004. The current roster of Arsenal are bunch of average young players that if Arsenal had 5 of the best coaches in the world at the same time at the s results would be about the same. Arsenal needs about 9 to 10 half in their high 20s and half in low 20s players that have future potentials to be great meaning, spending $300 to $400 millions which we all know that is not going to happen.
Razacnors
0
Clueless manager sinks us again, we played half a season without a prolific front man, what a fiasco
all credit to Arteta..., he tried to bring that team with those players to top 5...be grateful you ungrateful arsenal fans
Ciedkmpuy
2
champions league gone
BOzilCrushAGunner
1
Who the "smashing" epp? 🙄
Fomabdilns
0
oh well
Yup
voselmnosu
5
Arsenal is going to play in the Europa League because of the lack of a prolific striker that should have been signed in the january window period
AB1604
3
Clueless manager sinks us again, we played half a season without a prolific front man, what a fiasco
dohcdiklmy
2
Bye bye
mubdekmprs
2
oh well