Arteta now offers support to Pepe after red card
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FILE PHOTO: Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta gestures during the Premier League match with West Ham United in London, UK, March 7, 2020. /VCG

FILE PHOTO: Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta gestures during the Premier League match with West Ham United in London, UK, March 7, 2020. /VCG

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has offered his support to Ivorian winger Nicolas Pepe who has come under fire after he was sent off against Leeds United on Sunday.

Pepe was shown a straight Red Card after he appeared to headbutt Ezgjan Alioski off the ball.

"No, it's absolutely not [the end of his Arsenal career after the red card]," Arsenal.com quote Arteta to have said after he was asked about the winger's future.

"I will give Nico my full support all the time. He knows where he has to improve and we all know his qualities. He has some responsibility, I have a lot of responsibility, which is to get the best out of him and get the best position for him, the best areas where he can do what he can do with the ball. I cannot fault his effort at all," the Arsenal manager added.

Arteta's latest comments seem to be contrary to his initial reaction after Arsenal settled for a draw in the game against Leeds.

Speaking right after the game, he termed Pepe's headbutt 'unacceptable' and accused him of 'letting the team down'.

"It is unacceptable. Unacceptable. At this level you cannot do it," he said.

Pepe has struggled to replicate the form that saw Arsenal sign him from Ligue 1 side Lille for £72 million.

The Ivorian has featured 50 times for the North Londoners in all competitions since his arrival, scoring 10 times.