Nicolas Pepe, the Ivory Coast international who once commanded a club-record £72 million transfer fee to Arsenal, has opened up about the struggles he faced during his time with the Gunners. The winger, now 29, admits that handling the high price tag was challenging and affected perceptions of his performances.
In an interview with BBC Sport, Pepe discussed the pressure of the transfer fee, saying, “It wasn’t easy at all. And the fans weren’t happy with how I was performing. When I first joined, the fans weren’t really judging my performances; they were judging the price tag.” Despite the challenges, Pepe expressed no regrets about his time at Arsenal, highlighting his contributions with 24 goals and 15 assists in his first two seasons.
Pepe’s tenure at Arsenal began in 2019 following a standout season with Lille, where he scored 23 goals and provided 12 assists. However, he struggled to replicate that form in the Premier League. After leaving Arsenal in 2022, Pepe spent a season on loan at Nice and had a brief stint at Trabzonspor, where he was released earlier this summer.
“If Arsenal bought me for £20m, maybe it’d be different,” Pepe mused. “It’s not the player’s fault. They don’t ask for £100m or £90m. But that’s how it is in the football world and it’s something people can’t understand.” He also drew comparisons to other high-profile players who have faced scrutiny despite not always being in top form.
Pepe acknowledged that he did not fully win the confidence of Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta. “He put together a winning team, and sadly, I wasn’t in that player turnover,” he said. Despite this, Pepe spoke positively about his relationship with Arteta and expressed gratitude for how his exit was managed, particularly given his injury challenges.
Now focused on regaining his fitness, Pepe is optimistic about his future. “It’s been two years since I’ve done pre-season. I feel great when I start pre-season. I’m physically in good form, and I need to get back to being the fast player I used to be,” he stated.
Pepe hinted at a potential return to English football, saying, “I’m not ruling out a return to England.” He emphasized the importance of having a supportive environment and the right physical condition to replicate his past performances.
As he navigates his next career move, Pepe remains hopeful and is evaluating all offers, with his representatives handling the details.