When Arsenal signed Nicolas Pepe from Lille in the summer of 2019, the Premier League giants struck a deal that would allow them to pay the winger’s £72 million transfer fee in a series of annual instalments over the next five years.
At the time, even the most pessimistic Gunners supporter – even those who accepted that the Ivory Coast international was leaning towards the ‘overpriced’ following just one season of consistent form – would not have predicted that Pepe could leave the Emirates before his transfer fee has even been paid in full.
But with Arsenal pressing ahead in their pursuit of Cody Gakpo – Voetbal International believe the Londoners are leading the race for his £33 million-rated signature – Pepe feels more and more like the odd-one-out.
Yes, he’s featured in all of Arsenal’s last five league games. But he started none of those. In fact, he hasn’t been included in Mikel Arteta’s starting XI since Alexandre Lacazette snatched a last-gasp draw at home to Crystal Palace all the way back in October.
Gakpo in, Pepe out for Arsenal?
The exceptional Bukayo Saka has made the right wing position his own. And, on the opposite flank, Pepe has fallen behind a fit and flying Gabriel Martinelli in the pecking order.
Martinelli’s dazzling performance in the recent defeat to Liverpool was arguably better than any Pepe has produced in three years at the Emirates.
Emile Smith Rowe and Martin Odegaard are also capable of playing out wide. And the potential arrival of Gakpo feels like another nail in Pepe’s Arsenal coffin.
According to AD, the Gunners have held talks with the Dutchman’s agent, making it clear that they are willing to pay a ‘significant amount’ for a man who has 16 goals and 15 assists to his name for PSV Eindhoven this season.
“It is frustrating not to play,” Pepe admits, in comments published by The Sun this week. “No player enjoys not playing but I have to respect the coach’s decision.
“Mikel has explained that to me and I know I have to work hard in training to get more playing time. It has been a tough season for me.”
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A tough season indeed. Pepe won’t stick around in the shadows forever. And, though he’s failed to live up to his monstrous price-tag, there will still be plenty of clubs willing to move heaven and earth to sign a winger with an eye for goal and a penchant for the spectacular.
Pepe could still have a bright future in elite-level football. Just not at Arsenal.
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