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Mikel Arteta defends under-fire Arsenal flops Nicolas Pepe and Willian and vows to 'keep supporting them' after another tepid performance from the pair against Southampton as the FA Cup holders crashed out in the fourth round

Mikel Arteta has said he will keep working hard with Nicolas Pepe and Willian to try and turn around their fortunes after the pair were once again ineffectual as FA Cup holders Arsenal crashed out of the competition at Southampton.

The pair were part of eight changes from the side that had comfortably seen off Newcastle in the league on Monday, but neither player was able to resurrect their flagging reputations as Gabriel's 24th-minute own goal was enough to separate the teams.

Pepe arrived at the Emirates from Lille for a mammoth £72million in the summer of 2019, but he has largely flattered to deceive after arriving to much fanfare, with seven goals and six assists in 43 Premier League games so far.