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Arsenal Transfers: Nicolas Pepe hints at Gunners stay
By Adam Schultz
Nicolas Pepe was thought to be on his way out the Emirates door, but the Ivorian’s latest social media post seems to suggest otherwise.
To say that Arsenal winger Nicolas Pepe has caused much frustration since joining from Lille in 2019 with a £72.9m price tag is an understatement.
He arrived to much fanfare as he set Ligue 1 alight in 2018, but it has been a tumultuous journey for the 27-year-old since his move to the Emirates.
Pepe will show flashes of brilliance that leave you mesmerised and then, at other times, leave you shaking your head, wondering what the hell is going on with him. The club-record fee paid for him will never be recouped, and given that he was barely sighted last season, the writing was on the wall that a move away was a near certainty.
Nicolas Pepe hints at Arsenal stay
Pepe played just 23 times in all competitions last season, scoring three goals and adding six assists. Not the output fans were expecting after a promising end to 2020/21.
With many wanting him out of the club and rumours of potential suitors, the Ivorian’s latest social media post has suggested that he could remain in north London this season.
Pepe wrote via his Instagram page:
"“I worked hard during the summer. Changed a lot of things.“I’m focused and determined with Arsenal and my team-mates.”"
https://twitter.com/afcstuff/status/1551315501112070146?s=20&t=7UEect9SHtha017lFFnsIw
The winger seems determined to make his mark on the squad this season. At the time of writing, the Gunners have not added another winger to their ranks, and it could give Pepe one more chance to show what he can do on the pitch.
With just two years left on his current deal, this could very well be his last season in north London unless something drastic changes.
We all want players to do well, and Pepe has shown what an incredible talent he is, but those moments are fleeting. When a club splashes out £72m on a player, there is an expectation that the player will provide consistent performances and be a star of the side.
It hasn’t exactly worked out that way for our Ivorian, but this season could finally be where it all clicks.