Mikel Arteta issues Nicolas Pepe with a warning that he must improve his Arsenal consistency

Mikel Arteta has warned Nicolas Pepe he has no more excuses now to justify his £72million price tag after an upturn in form for the Ivorian winger. The 25-year-old has enjoyed a good few weeks in north London, scoring in both of Arsenal's Europa League quarter-final legs over Slavia Prague and has started in eight out of the Gunners' last 12 league matches since the end of January. Mikel Arteta has told Nicolas Pepe he now needs to show consistency at Arsenal Pepe scored in both of Arsenal's Europa League quarter-final legs against Slavia Prague The Arsenal manager said before Sunday's visit of Fulham: 'Nico has this ability – it depends on him, we can help him as much as we want but he needs to have the right mindset and consistency to do what he can do. Pepe has ten goals this season for Arsenal - two years after his £72m move from Lille PEPE'S SEASON STATS Games: 39 Goals: 10 Assists: 5 *Stats are from all competitions Pepe's most recent Arsenal goal - a cool dink to open the scoring at Slavia Prague in the Gunners' 4-0 victory that earned them a Europa League semi-finals - was his tenth of the season. His two goals against Slavia Prague mean Arsenal are three Europa League victories away from qualifying for next season's Champions League.