Arteta's side were knocked out of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night as holders Manchester City dominated in a 4-1 win at the Emirates.
Excluding the Europa League, the Gunners have now gone eight matches without a win and record-signing Pepe has also struggled to find his best form - but Arteta revealed the Ivory Coast winger is all-too aware of the standard of his displays.
‘I would always defend my players,’ said Arteta.
‘Whatever I have to discuss with him, it will be internally. Pepe wants to do his best and help as much as he possibly can.
‘This is what I am interested in. It is my job and if he doesn’t, it is my fault. He is trying his best. We all know Nico and sometimes his body language makes him feel bad.'
Pepe was heavily criticised for a head-butt which resulted in a red card in a goalless draw at Leeds on November 22 and has failed to deliver since his return from a three-match ban.
Though he scored the equalising penalty in Saturday's loss at Everton, the £72m man - signed from Lille last year - was heavily criticised in some quarters for his lack of creativity in the second-half and he also did not make an impact coming on as a substitute in Tuesday's defeat to City.
'He is hurting, he is suffering – believe me, I am close to him – and he is trying his best,' Arteta added.
‘He feels the responsibility because be knows why the club brought him here and he wants to deliver that.’
Arteta badly needs a result, with his side 15th in the table just four points above the relegation-zone, and they entertain London rivals Chelsea on Boxing Day.
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