After bowing out of the FA cup to Southampton, Mikel Arteta has said he will continue to back out-of-form Nico Pepe and Willian.
The pair were in the starting lineup for the game but both put on underwhelming displays.
Mikel Arteta was asked about both players after the match and he had this to say:
“What I am saying is they try to give their best,” said Arteta. “You could see how hard they are trying, with more or less quality, but the intention is there and the willingness is there.
“This is what we demand them to do. And after the decision-making, the final pass, the final goal, the opportunities they have, it is the end product and that’s the hardest thing in football.”
Asked whether the pair can turn things around, he added: “I hope so. We are going to keep supporting them as much as we possibly can, as a coaching staff and as a club because that is what they need.
“They need to keep working hard and try to improve their performances. I want to think positively and think that they are going to reach their level very soon.
“And the way they train every day is to reach that level and we are here to support them again – and not to think in a negative way.”
In a shocking stats revealed by sqwaka, Willian has only recorded two shots on target this season.
