Mikel Arteta views Nicolas Pepe as ‘dispensable’ now with Arsenal open to offers for him in the January transfer window, Football London report.
Nicolas Pepe to leave?
Pepe suffered the ignominy of not being called to come on for Arsenal on Monday, as they slipped to defeat against Everton.
When Gabriel Martinelli went off with injury it looked like the perfect chance for Arteta to bring on the Ivorian winger.
However, the Arsenal manager ultimately decided that Eddie Nketiah would be a better choice.
It was a substitution which may not have left Pepe particularly pleased, if his facial expression on the bench was anything to go by.
And the Arsenal man is now said to be considering his future at the Emirates Stadium.
The latest update suggests that he would be open to leaving if the right offer presented itself in January.
Pepe’s best chance of getting a move would apparently be a loan one, as it seems unlikely that any suitors will be able to match his current wages at Arsenal.
But even that could be a good option for the 26-year-old who has struggled since his move to North London.
Despite showing flashes of quality, which led to him being called ‘phenomenal’ by Arteta, Pepe has never been able to live up to exorbitant price-tag.
His importance to Arsenal has steadily decreased and, at this stage, it does seem that a move away could be best for all parties in the new year.
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