Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta "hopes" to see Nicolas Pepe remain at the Emirates for the long term.
The former Lille attacker has struggled to make his mark on a consistent basis since his £72m arrival in the summer of 2019 and has started just five Premier League games this season.
Pepe was briefly linked with a last-minute January exit but ultimately remained in North London, where his existing deal is due to expire at the end of the 2023-24 season.
Arteta believes that he has seen a "different" version of Pepe since his Africa Cup of Nations campaign, though, with the Ivory Coast international claiming two goals and an assist in the tournament.
When asked if he wanted Pepe to remain at the Emirates by reporters ahead of Saturday's top-flight clash with Brentford, Arteta responded: "I hope he does.
"But I understand that when a player doesn't play he is disappointed and Nico has been disappointed because he wanted to have more minutes. Hopefully he can play many more minutes and he can contribute to the team because he has the ability to do it."
Pepe has registered two goals and five assists in 12 appearances this season, taking his total for the Gunners to 26 goals and 20 assists in 101 matches across all competitions.
Ben Knapton
