Mikel Arteta was impressed with Pepe’s performance as he inspired Arsenal to a 3-0 win against Molde in Norway.
He was lively from the blast of the whistle and he struck the bar before getting the team ahead with a beautiful curler early in the second half.
He was the focal point of Arteta’s anger after he got a silly red card in our draw against Leeds United.
“I am really pleased,” said Arteta. “After the disappointment of something negative, you want to see a reaction and I could see from the first minute with his body language that he was ready to act.
“I think he had a great performance, he scored one goal and could have scored another one or two. He created some good moments in the game and worked really hard for the team, so I really like it, I am pleased with that.”
He added: “We all know what his level is, and all the time the question is how often he can get to that level and how he contributes to other aspects of the game.
“Today is the example of the level he needs to hit, and he needs to keep doing it because he is capable of it and you can see that every time he gets in those positions win the final third, he is a real threat and a very difficult player to control because he can go with his feet, he can come inside, he can shoot, he can create crosses and he can go in behind you as well. That is what we can expect from him.”
He faces a three game ban in the Premier League, and he will look to continue in this fine form in the next Europa League fixture at home to Rapid Vienna.
