Nicolas Pepe red card offers more proof of £72m burden he has become to Arsenal

Nicolas Pepe really did not need one of the season’s more ridiculous red cards to draw attention to himself. Sooner or later, someone would have pointed out that the Ivorian remains their last scorer in open play in the Premier League. 

Some 49 days and 476 minutes of football after Pepe’s winner against Sheffield United, a stalemate at Leeds United ended with Arsenal’s record buy in disgrace and their manager all too aware of the problems.

“It worries me, obviously,” said Mikel Arteta. “We need a lot of goals to win matches and be the top team we want to be. Without that, it is impossible. It doesn’t matter how good we are defensively.” 

Pepe’s headbutt on Gjanni Alioski constituted the wrong sort of attack. “Unacceptable,” said an unforgiving Arteta after the sort of sending off more associated with another Pepe.

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Arteta can feel the control freak whose side have lost control at times: Pepe on the pitch, David Luiz and Dani Ceballos perhaps on the training ground, Arsenal of their own fate as the goals have dried up. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s penalty secured a famous win at Old Trafford but also stands out as their lone league strike since Pepe struck against the Blades. Bukayo Saka could have ended the wait but, fine as Illan Meslier’s late save was, the substitute’s effort represented half of the saves Leeds’ previously overworked goalkeeper had to make.

“It is just that creativity and momentum,” Arteta added. “The players need to make that last action, which is the most difficult thing in football, but it will come.” He must hope so. Arsenal have certainly made it look difficult. Only Wolves and the bottom three have fewer goals, only Newcastle and the bottom three fewer shots on target.

In a game of 34 shots, Arsenal’s total of nine was close to their seasonal average, but little more than a third of Leeds’ tally. In the absence of a playmaker, a right-back served as their most creative player; Hector Bellerin fashioned chances for Aubameyang and Saka in between taking foul throws and being left exposed by Pepe. Arsenal came closest to a goal with a cross, from Pepe’s misdirected effort.

The 25-year-old represents the £72million underachiever, a player whose fee is a burden on the club. The same may yet be said of Willian’s salary; the Brazilian is likelier to materialise in Dubai than the opposition’s penalty box. Injury accounted for his half-time withdrawal, but such was his performance that it was tempting to think it was a tactical change too.

The luckless Joe Willock’s first top-flight appearance of the season was curtailed when he was sacrificed after Pepe’s sending off, and yet it seemed to suit Arsenal, able to counter-attack with 10 men – without the expectation to dominate possession in the other half.

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Arteta had altered his blueprint, perhaps more out of desperation than inspiration. Aubameyang had spent Arteta’s 11-month reign on the flanks, even if it increasingly meant he looked like an auxiliary full-back. For the first time, he led the line as top scorer Alexandre Lacazette was left unused.

“Some moments it worked really good,” Arteta said. Aubameyang had three shots, such untold riches that he has now had as many efforts as Harry Maguire this season. Ceballos at least showed the intent to have two himself, doubling his tally for the season. At points, Arsenal looked less structured and less pre-rehearsed.

But it did not come naturally and it was not enough to add incision. They were not as fast or as fluent as Leeds. Arsenal are trying to shake off an organised dullness, Leeds – who hit the woodwork three times – seeking to add a finish to frenetic running. 

Marcelo Bielsa looks the attacking coach, Arteta the defensive strategist who can earn a 0-0 with 10 men. But, as he accepted, Arsenal need more than that.